One of Scotland’s best-known contemporary artists, Alastair Fiddes Watt, is exhibiting “From a point of view” at The Watermill in Aberfeldy from 8th September to 2nd October 2007.

The East Lothian-based artist, whose land and seascapes capture the effects of falling light and nature in motion, has exhibited worldwide. His portfolio features both traditional landscape work and images that have progressed beyond the representational - from dramatic seascapes of Western Scotland to the heat of African plains.

Born in Paris, he studied at Manchester University and Manchester School of Art before returning to Scotland in 1987. On returning to Scotland, he found the varied landscape of East Lothian with its hills, woods and coast line awe-inspiring. He spent much time sketching what he saw before him building up a kind of case-book, as he describes it, of his new surroundings. Fiddes Watt's landscapes luxuriate with colour; his skies are intense and the distant vista of hills mottled with greys and blues. He captures that peculiarly Scottish luminosity of light and frequently travels to the North West Highlands to paint. ‘Given the saturated colours of a northern maritime climate and their speed of change, the imagery imparts a sense of nature in motion. Implicit is the reference to space and time where all forms are subjected to the moving display of light - the magical reality of natural phenomena impacts on the observer,’ he says.

‘Light reveals all and shapes the subject matter repeatedly. This kinetic display is the primary attraction that allows me to interpret atmosphere and mood. These values are present in both traditional landscape work and images that have progressed beyond the representational.’

Apart from collections in the UK and Europe there are examples of his work in Australia and the USA. He has also travelled and painted in West Africa and Kenya.

Kevin Ramage, owner of The Watermill said, ‘I am a great fan of Alastair’s work and am absolutely delighted that The Watermill has been chosen as a venue to showcase his contemporary and exciting style’ .

‘From a Point of View’ will be open daily from 8th September – 2nd October at The Watermill, Mill Street, Aberfeldy.