John Lowrie Morrison - biography
1948 Born Maryhill. Glasgow
1952- 59 Dowanhill Primary School. Glasgow
1959- 60 Hyndland Prep School. Glasgow
1960- 67 Hyndland Secondary School. Glasgow
1962 Invented the sobriquet JOLOMO ... during a Latin lesson!
1965 First exhibition ... Glasgow Civic Art Show. McLellan Galleries.
Sold first painting The Purple Mountain for £10
(a copy of his grandfather's work)
1967-71 Studied at Glasgow School of Art. Drawing & Painting.
Studied Drawing and painting under Dan Ferguson. James Robertson,
Duncan Shanks, Sandy Goudie and Geoff Squires. Studied Textiles
under Bob Stewart and Chuck Mitchell. Studied Printmaking under Jock
MacInnes and Phillip Reeves.
1969 Worked for a summer at Templeton's Carpets Glasgow, designing
Norsk rugs, and learning colour balance and colour mixing ...
in the Slab Room!
Met wife Maureen at Templeton's.
1970 Visited Switzerland, where high key colour first entered palette.
Also visited Paris, in January, to visit the Chagall retrospective at the
Grand Palais. Studied the work of Marc Chagall and Chaim Soutine,
particularly their use of the colour blue.
1971 Developed distinctive expressive style, with blue as the 'key' colour.
Travelling Scholarship from the Royal Academy Schools. London,
working mainly around the Drymen area - especially Duncryne Hill -
developing in particular the use of the colour blue, which is now the
Trademark of a JOLOMO painting.
Taught evening class in Glasgow Schools.
W.O. Hutchison Drawing Prize. Glasgow School of Art.
1971- 72 Post Graduate Study, GSA - mainly figurative work. Morrison’s work
was bought by several of his tutors in his post graduate year
1972- 73 Dip. Ed. Prim / Sec. Jordanhill College. Glasgow.
1973 Moved to Argyll - Teaching in Lochgilphead High School.
Teaching also in 12 Mid - Argyll Primary Schools.
1976 First Solo Show. All images and studies of a “local character”
Archie the Jura.
This was Morrison’s first solo show and was a virtual sell out!
1977 Moved to Tayvallich in the depths of Knapdale.
1982 Painted on Harris and visited family croft at Kyles.
1984 Painted in Holland.
1985 Began signing paintings with 'JOLOMO'.
1987-89 T.V.E.I Coordinator. Lochgilphead High School. Argyll.
Introduced Computers and the use of Technology to every
department of the High School.
1988-94 Principal Teacher of Art. Lochgilphead High School. Argyll.
1978-98 Art & Design Examiner with Scottish Examination Board.
1984- 94 Staff Tutor Art & Design. Argyll & Bute.
1984-88 Involved in Standard Grade Development for S.E.D.
1988-96 Higher Still Advisory Panel at the Scottish Office. Edinburgh.
1990 Painted in Loire area of France - further developed use of high
key colour.
1993 Painted on the Uists and Benbecula.
1994-96 Art Adviser. Strathclyde Region.
1995 Painted in the Duras area of Southern France.
1996 Took job severance from Strathclyde Region Education
Development Service to paint and work as an Art Adviser, privately
working for many Educational bodies such as :
'Glasgow 1999','Glasgow Museums','Glasgow School of Art
Education','N.S.E.A.D.','The Scottish Office Higher Still
Development Programme', 'The Design Council' ...
and many more Scottish Schools.
1997 Severed all Education links to paint full time !
1998 First solo shows in England ... at Corrymella Scott Gallery. Newcastle
1999 Built a large glass & steel studio in Tayvallich
2000 Film made by Artwork Newspaper ‘John Lowrie Morrison in Action’
2000 Begins donating 5 - 10 % of exhibition profits to various charities.
2001 Film made by Scottish Television “John Lowrie Morrison”
Scottish Masters Series
2001 Most solo shows have a “theme”
2001 Begins to donate 20 - 30 paintings annually for auction to
various charities
2002 DVD Film made - “I Know Where I’m Going !”
mitchellmcglone Films
2002 Book published by Scottish Christian Press - “ The Colour of Life”
sponsored by The Scottish Arts Council
2002 Inaugural show titled “The Enchanted Isles” a study of the archipelago
of islands from Colonsay to Kerrera ...
this is the first, now annual show on board the M.V. Isle of Mull on a
Friday evening Dinner / Cruise to the Isle of Colonsay ...
the viewing lounge of “The Mull” is turned into a fabulous exhibition
area for 50 paintings with gallery screens and lighting !
2003 Along with wife Maureen, became Patrons of P.R.T.C
“The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
2003 Painted on the Western Isles - linked to a major show of 150 works at
Kranenburg & Fowler Fine Art. Oban, titled “On the Edge of the
World” a study of the way of life of The Hebrides that seemingly sits on
the edge of the world !
2003 BBC TV Film -”The Man with the Golden Brush”
BBC Artworks Scotland Arts Series.
2004 Major commission from The Duke & Duchess of Argyll to paint 4 large
images of Inveraray Castle in all seasons
2004 New Retrospective Hardback book published:
titled - “John Lowrie Morrison - Retrospective”
2004 Solo show at Kranenburg & Fowler Fine Art. Oban titled “The Slate
Isles” ... a study of the lost industry of Argyll.
This exhibition comprised 150 paintings.
2005 David Davidson MSP opens the Torrance Gallery show in Edinburgh
2005 HRH The Princess Royal officially opens the Air Gallery Solo Show in
London
2005 Alex Salmond MP opens the Duff House Show in Banff
Duff House is part of the National Galleries of Scotland.
2005 Solo show at Kranenburg Fine Art. Oban titled “The Lighthouse &
The Castle“ a study of the lighthouses and castles, mainly of Argyll.
This is the largest exhibition to date with a 175 works !
2005 April: inaugural meeting of `the Jolomo Foundation
2006 Mary Scanlon MSP opens Torrance Gallery Show in Edinburgh
2006 George Lyon MSP opens the Cal Mac Colonsay Cruise show exhibition
titled “A Celebration of Cal Mac” - a study of the vessels and piers that
Cal Mac use and the landscape / Seascape Cal Mac work in
2006 First solo show in USA at the Cavalier Gallery, Nantucket, Massachusetts.
2006 May: Launch of Jolomo Lloyds TSB Awards
2006 The directors of the Hebridean Princess ask Morrison to put 12 large
works on board the vessel while the Royal family are on board.
2006 September: meeting of Awards judges
2006 Visit to Northern Brittany to make studies of Brittany coast.
2006 A visit by Chinese Arts journalists and arts editors to the Jolomo
studio. This was arranged by the Scottish Executive.
2007 The Torrance Gallery Edinburgh Exhibition opened by Rt. Hon. Lord
James Douglas - Hamilton
2007 May - The Jolomo Lloyds TSB Scotland Awards Short Leet Exhibition at
Lloyds TSB HQ Edinburgh
2007 The Strathearn Gallery Crieff Exhibition opened by Murdo Fraser MSP
2007 The Cal Mac Colonsay Cruise Exhibition opened by Brigadier MacFarlane
2007 The Duff House Banff Exhibition opened by First Minister Alex Salmond
2007 Highland 2007 Exhibition "Iona Cradle of Christianity" at The Cal Mac
Terminal Oban
2007 Inaugural Jolomo Lloyds TSB Scotland Awards - Awards Ceremony and
Dinner at The National Museum of Scotland
2007 Working holiday at Torloisk House Isle Of Mull
2007 Acquires a house and studio on West Mull
2007 Kranenburg Fine Art Show on the theme of Boswell & Johnsons' Tour of the
Hebrides
2007 Presented the Arts Award at the Glenfiddich Spirtit of Scotland Awards,
Kelvingrove Art Galleries. Glasgow.
2007 Commissioned by First Minister Rt. Hon Alex Salmond and Mrs Moira
Salmond to paint an image of Linlithgow Palace for their official Christmas
Card.
2008
February
BBC filming at The Studio for Nick Nairn's Landward programme
March
Private exhibition with Knight Frank in Regent Terrace Edinburgh
April
Launch of Jolomo Wines at The Cal Mac Terminal Oban
May
Featured with 6 works in the Scottish Colourist Exhibition at Clydebank Museum & Art Gallery
September
Launch of the 2009 Jolomo Foundation Scottish Landscape Painting Awards at The National Galleries of Scotland Edinburgh
October
PSYBT Jolomo Awards for Arts & Crafts presented in The Kranenburg Fine Art Gallery Oban Argyll
November
Awarded Doctor of the University from The West of Scotland University Paisley
December
First solo show at Aberdeen Art Gallery sponsored by KPMG
Worked constantly throughout Argyll & The Hebrides painting at Studio One in West Argyll and Studio Two on West Mull.
2009
January
Guest on Ian Anderson's BBC Scotland Programme at The Celtic Connections Royal Glasgow Concert Hall
March
The First Minister's 2008 Christmas Card painting of "Snow Falls on Linlithgow" is auctioned for £ 10.000.00 at The Sportsman's Charity Dinner Prestonfield Edinburgh
May
The Jolomo Foundation Scottish Landscape Painting Awards shortlisted artists exhibition at Lloyds Banking Group Henry Duncan House Edinburgh
June
The Jolomo Awards held at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum Glasgow
Exhibition "On The Edge of Buchan Part 2" opened by The First Minister Rt. Hon Alex Salmond
November
Private exhibition hosted by Barclay's Wealth Glasgow
Exhibition Hosted and sponsored by Lloyd's Banking Group at the Bank of Scotland The Mound Edinburgh
Opened by Sir Tom Farmer and MC Shareen Nanjiani
in Aid of Mary's Meals
Awarded a second Doctorate "Doctor of Arts" from The University of Abertay. Dundee
December
Invited to open The Methodist Church Collection of Modern Christian Art
at The Smith Art Gallery & Museum Stirling
Continued to work throughout Argyll & The Hebrides in Studio One and more extensively at Studio Two on Mull
BIOGRAPHY 2010
JANUARY
Torrance Gallery Show Edinburgh – Opened by Carol McGregor … percentage of artist’s profits to SIGHTSAVERS SCOTLAND
Delivered The Cunningham Lecture on Art, Christianity & the Reformation at New College The Mound Edinburgh.
MARCH
New work based on The Sacred Isle of Iona at The Gatehouse Gallery Glasgow
APRIL
Launch of The Jolomo Foundation / PSYBT Award for Arts & Crafts at St. Mungo’s Centre Glasgow.
An £ 10..000.00 Award for Designers and Craftsmen & Women
MAY
An Explosion of Colour – an exhibition at Kranenburg Fine Arts Oban .. completely based on the study of colour in flowers.
SEPTEMBER
The Launch of The Jolomo Foundation Awards for Scottish Landscape Painting at The National Galleries of Scotland. Edinburgh.
NOVEMBER
A Special Exhibition on “The Highland Clearances” at Lloyds Bryce Hall The Mound Edinburgh … some Figurative work involved.
BIOGRAPHY 2011
JANUARY
Included in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year’s Honour’s List.
FEBRUARY
The unveiling of a large work of The Bell Rock Lighthouse at Holyrood Palace
By Her Royal Highness Princess Anne
The Painting donated by the artist to the Northern Lighthouse Board and The Lighthouse Trust.
MARCH
The Jolomo PSYBT Awards for Arts & Crafts in Oban.
MAY
The Jolomo Bank of Scotland Awards Shortlisted Artists Show Edinburgh
JUNE
The Jolomo Bank of Scotland Awards Dinner and Awards Presentation at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum.
JULY
Presented with The O.B.E. at Holyrood Palace by Her Majesty The Queen.
The Presentation of a painting of Oban to the Town of Oban by The Princess Royal.
SEPTEMBER
The Jolomo Bank of Scotland Awards Shortlisted Artist’s Show at The Hannah Mclure Gallery The University of Abertay. Dundee.
OCTOBER
Major Show at Kranenburg Fine Art Oban – with LIGHTHOUSES as the theme
(Lighthouses have been an enduring theme / Motif for over 50 years)
Percentage of Artist’s Profits to The Lighthouse Trust.
This was to be the last show with Kranenburg Fine Art as the gallery closed in early 2012 .. after nearly 20 years of a great working partnership with The Jolomo Studio.
NOVEMBER
Major Show at The Sage Gateshead / Newcastle with a huge “Footfall” both at The Private View and during the following week.
BIOGRAPHY 2012
JANUARY
New Year’s Day appears on the Documentary “Elizabeth: Queen of Scots “ on BBC ONE (repeated in June)
Meetings with The Curator Trish Robbins (and throughout the year) of a proposed major Retrospective of 100 works at the newly refurbished Clydebank Art Gallery & Museum.
FEBRUARY
First Solo show at Clarendon Fine Art Mayfair London … all the work sold out
(50 works) the majority before the Private View !
MARCH
“A Conversation with JOLOMO” at the Hawthornden Theatre at The National Galleries of Scotland … in conversation with Dr. Alice Strang on the work of the Scottish Coloursist Cadell.
JUNE & DECEMBER
Appears on “Blethering Scots” BBC ONE
APRIL
The Launch at Tynecastle School Edinburgh of the new Jolomo Foundation Schools Award for the Painting of the Scottish Landscape.by Mike Russell MSP The Scottish Minister of Education
AUGUST
Visit to Venice for several weeks to celebrate on the Orient Express John & Maureen’s 40.th. Wedding Anniversary.
NOVEMBER
Launch of The Retrospective at Clydebank Art Gallery & Museum.
About the artist
Complete listing of Solo shows
Complete listing of Group shows
