The NEN – North Edinburgh News

An Edinburgh artist who transforms local landscapes and architecture into stunning prints has been selected to showcase his work at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait.

Callum Russell, who completed a Masters in Contemporary Art at the Edinburgh College of Art after studying Illustration at Falmouth School of Art, specialises in paper cutting and lino printing, creating prints inspired by the distinctive landscapes, industrial buildings and green spaces in and around the city and beyond.

Next weekend, Callum will join over 40 of Scotland’s leading independent makers, artists and designers at the Tea Green Events Summer Market at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait. Open to the public and free to attend, the two-day event runs on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August (10am – 5pm).

Now in its 12th year, Dundee-based Tea Green Events, owned by Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen, has become one of Scotland’s leading platforms for independent designers, attracting thousands of visitors to markets across the country. The Edinburgh event will feature everything from artwork, textiles and ceramics to jewellery and stationery.

Callum, who creates his work from a home studio in Edinburgh, has also exhibited at Tea Green markets at V&A Dundee and Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

He said, “Initially I got into printmaking purely as a way of making copies of my papercut images, but I soon fell in love with lino cutting and printing as a process in itself. I have always been inspired by cities, urban and industrial settings, from black-and-white, almost cinematic images of the cranes at Leith Docks to the shadows and commuters of Waverley Railway Station. 

“However, I’m fortunate to live in a city with so many natural and colourful landscapes like Holyrood Park, Greyfriars Bobby, Arthur’s Seat and The Meadows so I’m increasingly incorporating these spaces, which have a different appeal.”

Joanne said, “We are excited to once again be returning to National Galleries: Portrait, a truly spectacular space and the perfect backdrop to show off the cream of Scotland’s creative talent, including many designers and makers who, like Callum, live, work and take their inspiration from the capital and its surroundings. 

“Due to the large number of tourists visiting Edinburgh over the summer, the market also takes Scotland’s talent to a global level, celebrating the very best of Scottish craftsmanship.”

Callum added, “It’s always a delight to exhibit at Tea Green markets and a genuine privilege to be considered amongst other creatives at such a high standard.

“They are so well curated, held in some of Scotland’s most stunning spaces and, as a result, attracting visitors with a genuine interest in art and creativity, which really adds something to the event. And more than ever, it’s a real joy to interact with the public, to talk to them about my work and to get feedback on what I do.”