About

STEWART RUSSELL
b. 1987
Born and based in Scotland




Statement

My artistic journey delves into the profound interplay between psychoanalysis, alchemy, and the self, crafting a narrative that transcends the confines of the visible world. Through my work, I explore the hidden recesses of the human psyche, seeking to unveil the intricate layers that define our existence. Just as alchemists sought to transmute base materials into gold, I aim to transmute the raw emotions and experiences of the self into the golden essence of enlightenment and self-realization.
Psychoanalysis serves as my guiding compass, enabling me to plumb the depths of the subconscious, excavating the buried symbols and archetypes that shape our perceptions and behaviors. My art becomes a canvas for these revelations, a portal into the subconscious mind, where viewers can confront their own inner complexities.
The alchemical process, with its transformative rituals and spiritual significance, resonates deeply with my creative process. I distill the essence of the human experience, merging it with the alchemical quest for spiritual elevation. My art becomes the alchemical vessel, catalyzing the fusion of personal growth and universal wisdom.
Ultimately, my artistic statement is a quest for self-discovery, an exploration of the labyrinthine corridors of the mind, guided by the torches of psychoanalysis and alchemy. It's an invitation to journey alongside me, a pilgrimage to the core of our being, where the alchemy of self-awareness and the enigma of our subconscious converge, creating a tapestry of transcendent understanding.



Education

2020- 2023 The Glasgow School of Art. Glasgow, UK. BA(Hons) Fine Art: Painting and Printmaking

 

2018-2020 Ayrshire College. Ayr, UK. HNC – HND Art and Design

 

Exhibitions

2023 Glasgow School of Art Degree Show, Glasgow UK

2023 Dick Insitute Open Exhibition, Kilmarnock UK

2022 Self and Subject Exhibition, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow UK

 

2022 Old Contemporaries Exhibition, New Glasgow Society East, Glasgow UK

 

2022 The Big Art Show, The Art Department, Paisley UK

 

2022 Pipe Dream Exhibition, The Pipe Factory, Glasgow UK

 

2022 Portrait Exhibition, The Brick Lane Gallery. London UK

 

2019 Group Show, Electric Brae Gallery and Studio. Croy, UK

 

          Open Exhibition, The Barony. West Kilbride, UK

 

2018 Pop up exhibition, Ayrshire College. Ayr UK

 

Publications

 

Art Folio 2022, Painting featured – Subdued, p.95. 2022

 

Now Is The Only Thing That’s Real, Front Cover. 2017