Shelagh Atkinson

Name

Shelagh Atkinson

Job title

visual artist- printmaker

About

Shelagh Atkinson is a multi-disciplinary artist working across print, painting, drawing, photography, sound and mail art. Atkinsion seamlessly integrates diverse forms of artistic expression into cohesive and thought provoking works. Since the 1990s she has exhibited in a variety of national and international contexts including the International Print Biennial (Kanagawa, Japan), the second Yunnan International Print Exhibition (Kunming City, China), Lessedra World Art Print Annual (Sofia, Bulgaria), the Scottish National Portrait Gallery (Edinburgh, Scotland), Print Studios in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, Visual Arts Scotland, the Society of Scottish Artists and Aberdeen Artists Society.

Born in Scotland, Atkinson pursued formal training at Napier University Edinburgh Scotland, where she honed her skills in communication studies. She has always been interested in people and place. Urban and natural environments, politics and language all provide context for the subjects of memory and transformation which are ever present in Atkinson’s work. Her multidisciplinary approach allows her to explore complex themes and ideas, often delving into personal and universal narratives that resonate deeply with her audience.

As a woman artist in the LGBTQ+ community who did not take a conventional route into art, Atkinson’s engagement with key Scottish institutions, including Edinburgh Printmakers, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Wasps studios over three decades, have provided pivotal support towards the development of her practice.

In 2019, Atkinson was one of a small number of artists to be selected for an intensive programme run by Art360foundation in conjunction with Creative Scotland to support the development of her archive. In 2023 Art360 released a documentary film by award-winning filmmaker, David Bickerstaff, exploring the artists’ legacy.

Atkinson currently lives in South Lanarkshire and works in Edinburgh, UK.

Art360 film: Shelagh Atkinson by filmmaker, David Bickerstaff, 2023: atomictv.com

https://www.art360foundation.org.uk/shelaghatkinson My new film

Publication released September 2024 Dig – An Excavation of mine January 2025 publication launch at Fruitmarket gallery Edinburgh In conversation with James Brook and Amanda Catto talking collaborations, book design, art and archives

This is james brooks blog: http://jamesbrookdesign.blogspot.com/2024/08/shelagh-atkinson-dig.htm

June 2025 Recent webinar event with Scottish artists archive network https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96gK5QXN_2w

Tilly Heydon from Wilhelmina Barns Graham Trust Chairing the talk on my archiving project.