* MICHAEL SCOTT (SCOTTISH 1946 - 2006),
COME SAIL YOUR SHIPS AROUND ME
oil on canvas, signed
120cm x 117cm
Framed
Notes: This lot includes a hardback copy of "Michael Scott, Testament" published in 2010. The painting features as a full page image on page 81 and confirms it was completed in 2001.This painting was inspired by "The Ship Song", the 1990 indie classic love song written and first performed by Nick Cave. The title of the painting is the first line of the song. The song has been covered by numerous artists most notably the 2010/11 collaboration of over 100 musicians as a promotional film and song for the Sydney Opera House. What became known as "The Ship Song Project" took almost a year to complete and in the first 24 hours after its launch, the film clip was shared online more than 1.7m times. It became a major media success and is credited with bringing about a 40% increase in ticket sales at the SOH.
Michael Scott's large work rarely appears at auction but The Bathers, a 36 x 40 inch oil on canvas sold at Christie's, London on 28th October 2004 (lot 299) for £7170 (premium) and At The Riverbank, a smaller example was sold by McTear's for £4000 (hammer) - lot 1720, 26th August 2014. Born in Aberdeenshire in 1946, Michael Scott (Mike Scott) studied Political Science at Liverpool before doing a one year's teacher training course in Huddersfield. After moving to Glasgow, Scott took a full-time research post at Glasgow University followed by a lecturing post at the re-named Glasgow Caledonian University. By 1997 demand for his work had become so great that he had to resign his post at the University to paint full time. Awards Include: The David Cargill Senior Award, Royal Glasgow Institute. Exhibitions Include: 1988~John D Kelly Gallery, Glasgow: 1994~Roger Billcliffe Fine Art, Glasgow ~Contemporary Fine Art, Eton; 1995~Portland Gallery, London; 1997~Fosse Gallery, Stowe on Trent ~Contemporary Fine Art, Eton; 1998~Portland Gallery, London; 2001~Portland Gallery, London, 2004~Portland Gallery, London; 2010~A Memorial Exhibition, Roger Billcliffe, Glasgow. Collections Include: Distillers plc, Robert Fleming Holdings Ltd, Spencer Stuart & Associates, Teachers Whisky, Whyte and Mackay and others. To mark the 10th aniversary of Michael Scott's death, The Roger Billcliffe Gallery staged an exhibition of his work 1st April - 30th April 2016.