About the Artist

Margaretann Bennett

Artists Statement

My work explores identity, vulnerability and the complex relationship between our inner and outer selves. The women who appear in my paintings are not portraits of specific individuals but reflections of emotional experience. I explore the different roles we inhabit, the masks we wear, and the ways we are seen by others.

I am drawn to the beauty of abandoned and forgotten places. Victorian cemeteries, weathered stone, rusted metal, verdigris and fading photographs all speak quietly of time, memory and impermanence. Walking through these spaces, I collect visual fragments that become an important part of my creative process. The textures of eroded tombstones and decaying surfaces often find their way into both my figurative and abstract work.

The physical making of a painting is as important to me as the image itself. I prepare my painting surfaces by distressing the ground so that each work carries its own history before the first figure emerges. The resulting textures become an active part of the painting, echoing the passage of time and reinforcing the themes of remembrance, resilience and the enduring traces we leave behind.

I have worked from my Glasgow studio for over twenty-five years, where my practice continues to evolve.

CV

Born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, 1968

Resides and works in Glasgow, Scotland

Education

1987-1991: BA (Hons) Art & Design, Glasgow School of Art, Scotland

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2024 New Work, Green Gallery, Stirling

2018 New Work, Smithy Gallery, Glasgow

2016 The Untold, Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland

2014 New Paintings, Smithy Gallery, Glasgow

2012 Fellowship Exhibition, The Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh, Scotland

2011 New work, Smithy Gallery, Glasgow

New Works, Panter & Hall, London, UK

2009 Inverarity Travel Award Exhibition, RGI Kelly Gallery, Glasgow

2008 New Work, The RGI Kelly Gallery, Glasgow, Scotland

Feathers and Friends, Hanna's Contemporary Gallery, Dundee

2004 New work, The Leith Gallery, Edinburgh

Winter Lands, Kranenburg and Fowler Fine Art, Oban, Scotland

2003 Weather Moods, RGI Kelly Gallery, Glasgow

New Work, Tolquhon Gallery, Aberdeenshire

2002 Land Rhythms, Fellowship Exhibition, The Glasgow Art Club, Glasgow, Scotland

2001 New Paintings, Tolquhon Gallery, Aberdeenshire

1997 Margaretann Bennett, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, Scotland

Selected Group Exhibitions

2026 VAS The Thread that Pulls, RSA, Edinburgh

2025 Dear Green Place Exhibition, RGI Kelly Gallery, Glasgow

2024 Greystone Gallery, Edinburgh

2023 Small Paintings Exhibition, Morningside Gallery, Edinburgh

2021 Still Life Exhibition, Red Rag Gallery, Gloucestershire, England

2020 Online ‘Art Fair’ Exhibition, Fotheringham Gallery, Stirling

2019 Society of Women Artists, Mall Galleries, London, UK

2018 Mansfield Park Gallery, Glasgow

2017 Two Person Show, Gallery Heinzel, Aberdeen

2016 Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh

Saffron Gallery, Sussex, UK

Mansfield Park Gallery, Glasgow

2015 Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh

Flights of Fancy Exhibition, Mansfield Park Gallery, Glasgow

150 Years with Alice Exhibition, Mansfield Park Gallery, Glasgow

Annual Society Exhibitions

RSA Annual Exhibition, Edinburgh - 2001, 2003, 2013

VAS Annual Exhibition, Edinburgh - 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012

RGI Annual Exhibition, Glasgow - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2016

RSW Annual Exhibition, Edinburgh - 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012

PAI Annual Exhibition, Paisley - 2006, 2007

Awards

2011 2010 2007 2006 The Mabel MacKinlay Award (winner), RGI Annual Exhibition, Glasgow, Scotland

The Scottish Arts Club Award (winner), RSW Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh

Inverarity One to One Travel Award (inaugural winner), RGI Annual Exhibition, Glasgow, Scotland

The Arnold Clark Award (winner), Paisley Art Institute Annual exhibition, Scotland

The Armour Award (winner), RGI Annual Exhibition, Glasgow, Scotland

The William Bowie Award (winner), Paisley Art Institute Annual exhibition, Scotland

2005 Langside College Watercolour Award (winner), RGI Annual Exhibition, Glasgow, Scotland

Contemporary Fine Art Gallery (Eton) Award (winner), Paisley Art Institute Annual exhibition, Scotland

2000 The Glasgow Art Club fellowship (winner), RGI Annual Exhibition, Glasgow, Scotland

Selected Collections

Art in Healthcare, St.Andrews Hospital, Fife, Scotland

Art in Healthcare, Princess Margaret Rose Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland

Margaretann Bennett is collected by various private collectors in USA, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Europe.

Selected Press

Heather MacLeod, ‘Objects of Curiosity’

– Cover Story in At Home / The Herald (April 17, 2011).

Heather MacLeod, ‘Cool and Collected’ in Scotland’s Homes/ The Herald (March 02, 2011).

Jan Patience,

‘Margaretann Bennett – RGI Kelly Gallery’ in The Herald /Arts, (September 12, 2009).

Jan Patience, ‘An old pals’ act’ in The Herald/ Arts,(May 9, 2009)

Maureen Ellis, ‘Discover the art of pies, hares, and film stars…’ in Glasgow Evening Times (October 16, 2007).

Professional Memberships

Visual Arts Scotland - elected 1997 (Member of Council 2000 – 2004)

Artist Membership

Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts

Society of Scottish Artists