The Scottish Arts Council has awarded major bursaries to four of Scotland’s leading contemporary artists for the development of future work, as an investment in their creative talent.

Sculptor and painter Alex Pollard, painter Carol Rhodes, sculptor Karla Black and artist Kate Davis have each been awarded £15,000 to support research and experimentation and the development of new ideas and significant projects. The artists were selected based on the quality and ambition of their work.

One of the winners of the John Moores Painting Prize in 2004, Glasgow based artist Alex Pollard creates sculptures, paintings and assemblages. Alex, who represented Scotland at the Venice Biennale in 2005, will use his bursary to devote a year to developing new work for a solo exhibition at the Talbot Rice Gallery in Edinburgh and group shows in New York and Madrid.

Glasgow based landscape painter Carol Rhodes’ work features in a number of important collections including the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Tate Gallery. Recent shows include; Angles Gallery, Santa Monica; Brent Sikkema Gallery, New York; and Andrew Mummery in London. Carol will use the bursary to support her creative development in the studio.

Sculptor Karla Black graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2004 and is well known for her use of unusual materials such as paper, plaster, Vaseline and make up. Recently her work has featured in solo exhibitions at Broadway 602, New York and Galerie Sandra Buergel Berlin, and at group shows at CCA in Glasgow and Flaca, London. In January she will be taking part in a group show at Art: Concept in Paris. Karla’s award will allow her to work on large museum-scale works and develop her work both conceptually and technically.

Kate Davis studied printmaking at Glasgow School of Art. Her work includes drawings, paintings, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture and she has recently been working in bronze at the Scottish Sculpture Workshop in Aberdeenshire. Recent solo shows include The Breeder in Athens and Kunsthalle Basel. Kate will use her bursary to help develop and prepare for a schedule of solo shows throughout 2007, including an exhibition at Art Now, Tate Britain in February 2007 and a solo “statement” presentation at the Basel Art Fair in June 2007.

Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts at the Scottish Arts Council said: “We know from experience that this kind of award can have a huge impact on developing an artist’s career. We’re delighted to support these outstanding artists to take creative risks and invest time and energy in creating new work, which will be seen in important exhibitions and showcases in Europe and America as well as at home in Scotland.”