Scottish Portrait Awards 2023

Open to anyone over 16 years, born, living or studying in Scotland, regardless of experience, the Scottish Portrait Awards has quickly established itself as a barometer of contemporary Scottish art practice, giving visibility to a mix of well-established artists as well as newcomers across a diversity of styles.

Acting as an insight into portraiture today in all its diversity, the exhibition spotlights artists and photographers telling the stories of our time. Each of the works chosen for this year’s show share an authentic quality. The captured portraits are spontaneous or deliberate; the moment depicted being quiet, exuberant, care-free or contemplative – each sincere, allowing the viewer to connect to the visual storytelling.

Included in the exhibition are this year's winners – David Gillanders
from Glasgow is the winner of the new  MPB Scottish Portrait Award in Photography (black & white) and £2,000 with his portrait ‘The Makers – Alastair. E. Blain, artist & poet’. Ruaridh Fraser also from Glasgow is the winner of the new  MPB Scottish Portrait Award in Photography (colour) and £2,000 with the portrait ‘Vanilla in the Kitchen’, whilst Nina Davidson is the winner of the SPA Albert Watson Portrait Prize which was chosen by the internationally renowned photographer Albert Watson OBE, who personally reviewed every photographic work entered in to the awards.
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