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GENERATION: Ross Sinclair

18 July 2014

Scotland's most important artists of the past 25 years are being celebrated in GENERATION - a programe of exhibitions across the country in 2014. In a series of short films for BBC Arts, Kirsty Wark meets some of the creative minds who transformed the art scene in Scotland.

Ross Sinclair

Kirsty Wark in conversation with Ross Sinclair

When Ross Sinclair had the words ‘Real Life’ tattooed on his back in 1994, his own body became part of his art.

Real Life has been a continuing project for Sinclair, taking many forms over the years, including painting and sculpture, music and performance.

Ross Sinclair

Many of his pieces feature the artist himself. His GENERATION installation Real Life Rocky Mountain often includes Sinclair playing his guitar, with his tattooed back to the viewer.

First exhibited at Glasgow’s CCA in 1996, the artwork offers an idealised view of Scotland on a hillside of fake trees and stuffed animals. It has come to Edinburgh for GENERATION at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

Sinclair was born in Glasgow in 1966. He studied at Glasgow School of Art and is now a lecturer there in Sculpture and Environmental Art. He lives and works in Kilcreggan, Argyll.

About GENERATION

GENERATION is a showcase of some of the most important artists to come out of Scotland in the past 25 years. It brings together work by more than 100 artists to 60 galleries and exhibition spaces across the country.

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It charts Scotland's creative development during a period which saw the country earn an international reputation as a centre for contemporary art. It produced countless award-winning artists and exhibitions.

The artists featured in GENERATION came to prominence while working in Scotland. They laid the foundations for the contemporary art scene that exists there today.

The aim of GENERATION is also to help cultivate a future generation of artists, with a education programmes and events to inspire young people.

The project is part of Culture 2014 - the Glasgow Commonwealth Games cultural programme. It is being held in partnership between the National Galleries of Scotland, Glasgow Life and Creative Scotland.

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Art and Artists