Emsley, Paul (1947 – )

Paul Emsley was born in Glagow, Scotland in 1947, but came to South Africa at a very young age. He
taught drawing and painting at Stellenbosch University from 1983 – 1995. In 1996 he moved back to
the United Kingdom. His work can be found in most public collections in South Africa and a recipient of

numerous awards, including the prestigious BP Portrait Award in 2007.

“All that I can experience of the universe with any degree of certainty is matter – for me it is the
visible and tangible end of space. This is probably why I gain such satisfaction from the experience
of drawing or painting the human figure, flowers in a vase or an animal. All forms are made up of
different configurations and densities. Light and shade pass over each in the same way. By emphasizing
a brooding or settled half-light I try to give sense of mystery to my images.” – Paul Emsley

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Paul Emsley

Born: 1947 Glasgow, Scotland.

Exhibitions:

2008
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
Victoria Gallery Bath, Exhibition of BP Award Portrait.
Art London
Art Palm Beach
London Art Fair

2007
BP Portrait Awards
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
Art Palm Beach
London Art Fair
Art London

2006
Art Palm Beach
Art London
20/21 London
London Art Fair

2005
Group Exhibition, Jill George Gallery
Art Palm Beach
Art London
London Art Fair
20/21 London
Jerwood Drawing Prize

2004
Art Palm Beach.
Art London.
20/21 London.
London Art Fair.
Balatro Gallery, Palm Beach.
Naked. RWA. Bristol.
Singer Friedlander Sunday Times Watercolour Competition.

2003
Art Palm Beach.
Singer Friedlander Sunday Times Watercolour Competition.
Art London.
20/21 London.
London Art Fair.
Tooth and Claw, RWA, Bristol.

2002
Hunting Art Prizes.
Art Palm Beach.
Art London.
Singer Friedlander Sunday Times Watercolour Competition.
Jerwood Drawing Prize.

2001
Art Palm Beach.
Geneva Art Fair.
1st Painting Open, RWA, Bristol.
Discerning Eye.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
Singer Friedlander Sunday Times Watercolour Competition.

2000
Geneva Art Fair.
Discerning Eye.
Singer Friedlander Sunday Times Watercolour Competition.
Singer Friedlander Sunday Times Watercolour Competition.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

1999
Solo Exhibition Redfern Gallery.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

1998
Singer Friedlander Sunday Times Watercolour Competition.

1997
Singer Friedlander Sunday Times Watercolour Competition.

1996
Solo Exhibition Mary Ryan Gallery, New York.
Glasgow Art Fair, Redfern Gallery.
Chicago Art Fair, Mary Ryan Gallery.

1995
Solo Exhibition Redfern Gallery.
Panoramas of Passage, Exb. of South African Art touring U.S.A.
Represented South Africa in the United Nations Right to Hopeâ
Exhibition, Johannesburg Art Gallery.

1994
Solo Exhibition Redfern Gallery.
Gerhard Werzer Gallery, Houston U.S.A.
Dickins and Rigg Gallery, Hong Kong.
Galerie Levy, Hamburg. Arco Int. Art Fair, Madrid.
Bury St. Edmunds Gallery.

1993
Solo Exhibition, Sasol Art Museum, University of Stellenbosch.

1987
Standard Bank National Drawing Competition.
Drawing Exhibition, University of the Orange Free State.

1985
Cape Town Triennial.

1982
Cape Town Triennial.
Solo Exhibition-S.A. Assoc. of Arts, Cape Town.

1981
Solo Exhibition-University of Stellenbosch.

1979
Cape Town Biennial.

1978-1979
South African Art touring U.S.A. and Sao Paulo.

Awards:

UWE. Drawing Prize. RWA Autumn Exhibition. 2008.

BP Portrait Award. First Prize. 2007.

Silver Award for Works on Paper. British Interior Design Association. Art London 2005.

UWE Drawing Prize. RWA Autumn Exhibition 2004.

3rd Prize; Singer & Friedlander Sunday Times
Watercolour Competition 2003

1st Prize; Singer & Friedlander Sunday Times
Watercolour Competition 2002

3rd Prize; Singer & Friedlander Sunday Times
Watercolour Competition 2001.

Commended; RWA 1st Painting Open 2001.

Bovis-Architects Journal Special Award; Royal Academy
Summer Exhibition 2000.

Merit Award; Standard Bank National Drawing
Competition 1987.

Public collections:

British Museum.

South African National Gallery.

Johannesburg Art Gallery.

University of the Witwatersrand.

University of Stellenbosch.

University of the Orange Free State.

William Humphreys Art Gallery, Kimberley.

Sasol Collection.

Sanlam Collection.

Northwestern University, Chicago.