Denise M Fraser - Artist Member

Denise M Fraser BA Hons, Dip COT

A Glasgow born, painter and textile artist who graduated from Glasgow School of Art. A history of thirty years exhibiting artwork throughout London, South England and Scotland. Artwork can be found in private collections in Britain, Ireland and Australia.

This fifth present solo exhibition Nature’s Essence of Green posed the question …. Walking through the spring filtering light of green glade towards the lake. What do we encounter?

This is my fifth solo exhibition showcasing a selection of artwork that visually explores the ethereal qualities of a lake and surrounding trees and hills. The ancient Greeks recognised the calm, therapeutic qualities of flowing water and documented their belief in the embodiment of spirits within the natural world. To the extent of anthropomorphising nature, to show a strong connection of humanity as nature. thus Naiades, Oreads and Dryads were described and played an important role in the classical tales.

This new group of visual narratives are influenced by the classical tales with a contemporary twist. Recent paintings and art textiles explore the tenuous relationship between man and the natural world. Denise is essentially an observer with an enquiring mind, who has always been intrigued by the stories of classical antiquity and how the characters play out in the ancient natural world.

She spends valuable time researching text and gathering visual information from painting en plein air, museum visits and life drawing. This process was instilled by her drawing and painting degree course at Glasgow School of Art in the early 1980’s. As the theme for a solo exhibition develops the designs emerge to include a layering of meaning and form, influenced by symbolism of William Blake and the Renaissance.

The following solo exhibitions have been inspired by the fragile biodiversity of the
Sea: - Ocean of Time, Edinburgh 2018
Air: - Creation, Creation, Glasgow 2019
Falling Light, Edinburgh 2020
Land: -Nature’s Odyssey, Edinburgh 2022
Fresh Water:- Nature’s Essence of Green 2024
Denise exhibits in group exhibitions and of the RSW Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour and Societal exhibitions listed below.
Arts Society Memberships
2016 Artist member of the Glasgow Society of Women Artists GSWA
Artist Member of the Society of Scottish Artists
Artist Member of the Glasgow Art Club, Past Council Member and 2017-18 Gallery Convenor