History

Historically, many architects were also artists and likewise many of the best buildings of the Renaissance were designed by artists, stone masons and sculptors, who became de facto architects through experience and practice. Close observation and appreciation of nature and the environment appears to have united architectural creatives in the 19th century who formed “Lovers of Nature” in 1881 in Paris. From these roots European architect artists maintained their enthusiasm and activity in the wider visual arts through an international association, “Ligne et Couleur” formed in Paris in 1935. Subsequently sister societies were established in Italy, Poland, Germany, Romania, and more recently, Scotland.

The Scottish Society of Architect Artists (SSAA) was founded by Edinburgh architect artist the Late Hamish Haswell-Smith who convened a small group of like-minded Scottish architect artists in 1987. Hamish then travelled to Paris, met with the organisers of the well established European Society of Architect Artists, “Ligne et Couleur” to whom he presented his case for a Scottish Society. Thus SSAA became affiliated to “Ligne et Couleur, Paris”, and members have since participated in reciprocal exchanges of works for annual exhibitions in cities throughout Europe.

Since 1987 the SSAA has held regular public exhibitions around Scotland and arranged several studio events and seminars with invited artists. Members have enjoyed opportunities to learn and refine skills such as Chinese painting, digital drawing and painting, life drawing and printmaking.

Art by artists from the architectural professions of Scotland

History

Past events

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