Works of art by five contemporary artists from across Scotland are to be displayed in embassies and government buildings around the world as part of a Government project.

More than 20 new pieces have been acquired by the Government Art Collection as part of their Art X-UK project, with the five Scottish artists joined by six from the North East of England too. It’s the second instalment of a five-year initiative to ensure creative talent from across the entire UK gets recognised.

The first of those was Wales, East Midlands and West Midlands and now Scotland and the North East are getting their opportunity.

Glasgow-based artist Leo Robinson is one of the five from Scotland and is joined by Ashanti Harris, Ilana Halperin, Iman Tajik and Matthew Arthur Williams. Robinson, who is also a musician, blends history with science and supernatural forms with natural ones in his intricate pencil drawings. He also works in sculpture, painting and collage to create fictional, fantastical worlds.

Read More: 

Kirsty McNeill, the UK Government minister for Scotland, believes it’s a great opportunity for Scotland’s rich heritage to be broadcast around the world and is delighted to see the five artists be recognised as part of the GAC.

She said: “It is fantastic to see the work of Scottish artists being recognised as part of the Government Art Collection. Scotland has always had a rich artistic heritage and I am delighted to see these contemporary artists having their work promoted by the UK Government.

"I congratulate Leo Robinson, Ashanti Harris, Ilana Halperin, Iman Tajik and Matthew Arthur Williams whose work will now be seen by audiences around the world."

The project was launched in 2022 by GAC, which is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It is a five-year programme to collect works from exciting talent and showcase the best of British creativity – promoting further interest in the UK’s renowned creative sector.

The Art X-UK project initially ran as a successful pilot scheme in 2020-21 and since then more than 100 pieces by 55 contemporary visual artists have been acquired. The first year installment saw 30 new pieces from Wales and the Midlands last year and they are now on display in government buildings around the country and internationally in British embassies and resideces including Washington, Ankara, Abu Dhabi, Paris and 10 Downing Street.

Later this year, GAC will work with arts networks in the North West of England and Northern Ireland to identify more talented artists from these regions to be featured in the Collection.

Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “The whole of the UK is brimming with artistic talent, so it’s great to see new artworks from Scotland and the North East being represented in the Government Art Collection and being appreciated by more people on a global level. 

"The Art X-UK project is giving much deserved recognition to artistic talent right across the UK and is helping to promote our fantastic creative industries in all corners of the world.

Moira Jeffrey, Director, Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN), said: “We're thrilled that art works by Leo Robinson, Ashanti Harris, Ilana Halperin, Iman Tajik and Matthew Arthur Williams will be seen and shared in public buildings throughout the UK and across the world. 

“These artists from Scotland tell complex individual stories and give voice to their communities, through art works that are rich, complex and also very, very beautiful. 

“At SCAN we believe that art can sit at the heart of public life and artists can be central to the way we see the world, so we're delighted to partner with the Government Art Collection.”