Artist: Brent Millar
Title:Swan
Medium:Lithograph & Screenprint
Image size (cm) h x w: 38 x 54cm
Edition size: 20

The Vision Of The Archangels
Brent Millar: New Paintings

At first glance Brent Millar’s paintings can appear to be firmly based in a tradition of “belle peinture”, a notable characteristic of painters of the Edinburgh School. As Brent studied his craft under Sir Robin Philipson at the Edinburgh College of Art, this is perhaps as it should be. The College in the late 60’s and 70’s was particularly noted for the high standard of its teaching in the School of Drawing & Painting and at this time Brent’s tutors included such notable painters as Elizabeth Blackadder, Dennis Peploe and Victoria Crowe.

Although he was recognised as being one of the most talented painters of his year (his friend June Redfern was a fellow student), he was something of a rebel – much like John Bellany in his time. His rebelliousness didn’t prevent him from winning the R.S.A.’s prestigious Keith Prize for Painting or from being awarded a travelling scholarship which took him to Berlin and Amsterdam.

His student work revealed his admiration for the work of American artist Jasper Johns and for that of Joseph Beuy’s, who remains one of the “greats” among Brent’s heroes. Such a talented student wasn’t going to remain in Scotland and Brent based himself in London for many years where he taught as a lecturer in painting. Eventually he decided his teaching days were at an end and that he would return to Scotland to paint full-time. He moved back to Edinburgh in 1991 and re-launched himself on the art-scene with a highly successful exhibition, “Golden Vein”, at the Bellevue Gallery in 1997.

His now mature talent was recognised by many astute collectors and the work found its way into many homes in Edinburgh and further afield. More exhibitions followed and he became a regular contributor to the annual exhibitions of the Royal Scottish Academy, the Society of Scottish Artists, etc

We are seeing the work of an artist who has gained in maturity and in skill and confidence. His ambition undiminished, we are perhaps seeing an artist approaching the height of his powers. His work speak to us of the sheer joy of life and were painted by an artist who knows well of how our pleasure can be bitter-sweet too.
Alfons Bytautas, Edinburgh, August 2002

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