City Art Centre announces exciting programme of events to accompany upcoming John Bellany exhibition
John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture – a major exhibition celebrating the life and art of one of Scotland’s most significant modern painters – opens on Saturday 31 May 2025.
The programme includes exclusive tours, talks and workshops with those closest to the artist. Booking for events is now open.
The exhibition will showcase over 80 works, including paintings, drawings, prints, and sketchbooks, spanning from the 1960s until 2013. This remarkable 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 art history, obsessively documenting his own image through a variety of mediums.
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.
Throughout his life, he explored self-portraiture not just as an artistic exercise but as a means of delving into personal and universal themes—often disguising himself as mythical figures or fantastical characters.
This exhibition will present a diverse collection of works, many of which have never been seen publicly before, and are on loan from public and private collections across the UK, including the artist’s own estate. The works span Bellany’s entire career, providing a vivid and evocative portrayal of his life as he saw it.
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.
Event Programme Highlights
Lectures:
Thursday 31 July, 2pm – 3pm: A Life-Long Friendship
A reflection on the enduring friendship between John Bellany and Sandy Moffat. Sandy will discuss Bellany’s boyhood in Port Seton, their time together at Edinburgh College of Art, his turbulent London years and final years in Italy will all be explored.
Thursday 14 August, 2pm – 3pm: ‘I don’t borrow – I steal’: John Bellany and the Art of Visual Quotation
Bill Hare will explore Bellany’s technique of incorporating visual references from European art history into his own distinctive style, creating rich, multi-layered works.
Thursday 21 August, 2pm – 3pm: Time Will Tell
Reading from her critically acclaimed memoir, The Restless Wave, Helen Bellany will talk about her enduring relationship with John Bellany.
Wednesday 24 September, 2pm – 3pm: The Bellany Sketchbooks
Helen Bellany will lead exclusive exploration of Bellany’s private sketchbooks, which reveal the raw, personal side of his creative process.
In Conversation:
Thursday 10 July, 2pm: John Bellany: In Conversation with Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat
Join the curators for a conversation about Bellany’s artistic journey, his impact on Scottish art, and the special connection they had with him.
Gallery Tours:
Monday 11 August, 2pm – 3pm: Gallery Tour with Curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat
An intimate guided tour of the exhibition with the curators, offering expert insight into Bellany’s work and career.
Saturday 23 August, 2pm – 3pm: Gallery Tour with Curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat
Another opportunity to experience the exhibition with the curators, who will discuss the life and art of John Bellany in detail.
Described Tours and BSL Tours:
Friday 15 August, 11am – 12pm: BSL Interpreted Tour of ‘John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture’
A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted tour, offering a deeper understanding of Bellany’s artistic journey for the Deaf community.
Friday 15 August, 2pm – 3pm: Described Tour for the Visually Impaired of ‘John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture’
A guided tour specifically designed for visitors with visual impairments, offering detailed descriptions of the artworks on display.
Adult Creative Workshops:
Saturday 12 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm: Self-Portraiture in Ink and Watercolour
A hands-on workshop exploring Bellany’s techniques, encouraging participants to create their own self-portraits using ink and watercolour.
Saturday 9 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm: From Sketchbook to Masterpiece
A workshop that delves into the process behind Bellany’s iconic works, guiding participants through transforming initial sketches into finished art.
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said: “John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture offers not only an extraordinary exhibition of the artist’s work but also a comprehensive programme of events designed to enhance the visitor experience and provide new perspectives on Bellany’s life and legacy.
“It’s fantastic to have such personal insight into his life and works. Whether through lectures, gallery tours with curators, or hands-on creative workshops, these events offer something for every visitor to engage with Bellany’s art on a deeper level.”