Day: May 19, 2025

Tickets on sale for John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture

Major exhibition to feature over 80 works, including never-before-seen sketchbooks

Tickets are now on sale for John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture, opening on Saturday 31 May.

The exhibition offers the public a rare opportunity to view over 80 works by one of Scotland’s most celebrated artists. Many of these works, including a selection of Bellany’s private sketchbooks, will be displayed publicly for the first time.

Curated by Bellany’s close friends and colleagues, Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat, the exhibition spans five decades of the artist’s prolific career from the 1960s until 2013. Over two floors of the City Art Centre, this captivating exhibition invites visitors into Bellany’s world through the lens of his own self-exploration.

John Bellany was one of the most prolific and fearless self-portraitists in history, obsessively documenting his own image throughout his lifetime. From his early student studies in the 1960s to the epic pictorial narratives of his later years, Bellany’s works reveal the artist’s complex relationship with himself, his identity, and the world around him.

A particularly special element of the show is the inclusion of Bellany’s sketchbooks, personal visual diaries kept throughout his life, now generously loaned by his family. This is the first time they will be on public view.

Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Margaret Graham said: “This exhibition promises to be real highlight of the year.

“It is a great privilege to bring such a collection together and for many of the works to be brought into the public eye for the first time. It will offer visitors a fresh perspective on a much-acclaimed giant in Scottish art who was born in East Lothian.”

Curator Sandy Moffat, said: “The exhibition will feature a number of works which have never been shown before including sketch books, drawings from his student days and his last self portraits, offering a unique opportunity to see these works for the very first time.“

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication featuring a foreword by Helen Bellany and essays by curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat.

In addition to the exhibition, a rich programme of events has been developed to offer deeper insights into the artist’s work, his personal life, and his ongoing legacy.

One third of employers think AI will increase productivity

More than a third (35%) of employers think that artificial intelligence (AI) will increase productivity, according to a new survey.

Workplace expert Acas commissioned YouGov to ask employers in Britain what they thought was the most important benefit of AI at work.

The survey also found that:

  • 12% thought AI would give a competitive edge.
  • 11% thought it would increase knowledge.
  • 11% thought more work would be done with fewer staff.
  • 11% thought there would be no benefit.

Acas Chief Executive Niall Mackenzie said: “Our survey shows optimism amongst some employers about the potential for AI to boost their productivity, decrease costs and increase knowledge.

“Used responsibly, AI has the potential to empower workers and support the delivery of different workplace tasks.

“Businesses should be proactive in having early discussions about AI with staff, trade unions, and other worker representatives to understand the potential implications and ensure its adoption is well-informed. A good clear policy will help businesses stay safe, transparent and reassure staff that they are valued.”

Some top tips for employers from Acas on the use of AI at work include:

·       Employers should develop clear policies regarding the use of AI in the workplace and should consult employees and any representatives on its introduction. If there is an expectation that certain roles begin using AI, that could mean a change of terms and conditions.

·       Employers investing in AI should highlight how it can improve employees’ roles and reassure staff that human involvement will still be needed.

·       Organisations should remember that AI is not perfect, so outputs should be checked for accuracy, tone and bias. AI should be cited when used and staff may require training on how to get the best outputs.

·       A company’s data privacy policies will apply for the use of AI, and it is wise to check with your IT team for approved platforms. Employees should be careful entering any information that is business sensitive or personal into public tools. Any information that you do enter could be made public or used by others, so check company policies on the use of AI in the workplace and be aware of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

There is a lot of debate around the introduction of AI at work and a growing recognition of the need for more detailed guidance around its use. Acas stands ready to influence the debate and help inform government policy making.

Acas held a special conference on 15 May 2025 where experts debated the introduction of AI in workplaces. It discussed the type of new roles and opportunities that AI could create and the risks employers should consider when introducing AI.

For more information please visit https://www.acas.org.uk/conference-2025