About Allan

Allan Black was born in Paisley in 1958 and trained at the Glasgow School of Art graduating in 1980. 

In 1987 he became an artist member of the Paisley Art Institute and has exhibited most years in their annual exhibitions since then. 

He had his first solo exhibition at the MacLaurin Gallery Ayr in 1982 since then he has had various solo shows including the Kelly Gallery Glasgow and the Lillie Gallery Milngavie.

He exhibited with the interactive group Open Circle in France and Germany, mainly collaborating with the Ayr poet Alistair Patterson. They recently had an exhibition of collaborative work in the Sanquhar Art Centre.

Allan Black has exhibited in various galleries in Ohio USA, including Imagine That Gallery, Marrow of Tradition Gallery, Lawrence Churski Gallery and Copper Moon Gallery. He was placed first in the Annual Ohio Exhibition in 1998 and in 2000 he had a solo exhibition at the Cuyahoga Valley Arts Centre Cuyahoga Falls Ohio.

He has had solo exhibitions at the Augenweide Gallery in Munster Germany and at the same gallery collaborative exhibitions/concerts with the musicians Allan Taylor and Jackie Leven. 

Allan Black's paintings illustrated the Allan Taylor songbook We Must Journey On. 

Recently Allan Black's portrait of Jackie Leven was used as the album cover to The Wanderer, a tribute to Jackie Leven featuring various artists including lan Rankin and Ralph McTell.

Allan Black first came to Rothesay to visit his Aunt and Uncle, Dave and Ann Mahy. He later returned on a sketching trip with Jim Wylie, who introduced him to The Castle Gallery. He has since returned to Rothesay regularly seeking inspiration.