William A. Burns, RSA RSW

Artist Ian Fleming (Glasgow, Scotland, 1906 - 1994)

SitterSitter is William Alexander Burns (Newton Mearns, Scotland, 1921 - 1972)

Date1950 - 1954

Mediumoil on canvas mounted on board

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 101 cm, Width: 76 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1981.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG000561

Keywords

About MeFleming first met his sitter whilst teaching him at Glasgow School of Art. Their paths crossed again at Patrick Allen Fraser Art College, Hospitalfield, Arbroath, where Fleming was Warden. William Burns (1921 - 1972) and Fleming shared an interest in sea villages, beaches and harbours. However, where Fleming's work catches with rare delicacy the atmosphere of his subjects, in texture, light and colour, Burns' interests tended to lie in the juxtaposition of shape, colour and form, in conveying a sense of solidity. Such priorities eventually lead Burns to abandon the naturalism of his early paintings to produce the more abstract canvases for which today he is better known.

From 1955 to 1970 Burns was as a lecturer at Aberdeen College of Education. Two years later his career was tragically cut short when he died in an air crash.

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Fleming was one of Burns's teachers at the Glasgow School of Art, but this was painted later in their lives when they were friends.