SSAA MEMBER No.1 HAMISH HASWELL SMITH 1928 - 2019
Hamish Haswell Smith was founder, and President of the Scottish Society of Architect-Artists from 1987 - 1990. His enthusiasm for both sailing and for painting led Hamish to write the best-selling books ‘The Scottish Islands’ and 'An Island Odyssey’ fully illustrated with his own drawings and paintings. This has run to several editions including an Italian translation.
Hamish was President of the Scottish Arts Club (1982-84) and in 1985 he joined the english Society of Architect-Artists. This however was so essentially London-centric that in 1987 he gathered together a small group of like-minded Scottish architects and founded the Scottish Society of Architect-Artists.
SSAA continues as a flourishing society with regular exhibitions held in excellent galleries all around Scotland. The membership, now in excess of one hundred, also regularly contribute to major annual exhibitions in Paris, Verona, Stuttgart, Venice and Warsaw.
SSAA MEMBER No.82 ROBERT I S ANDERSON 1939 - 2019
BOB ANDERSON served as President, and Secretary of SSAA for over a decade, keeping the momentum and enthusiasm high for arts among architects throughout Scotland. He studied architecture at Liverpool and worked in Rhodesia and Zambia and with his wife Ann, was heavily involved in theatre: designing, building and painting many stage sets.
Returning to UK and settling in Edinburgh in architectural private practice, there seemed little time for painting apart from holidays, but continuing deep interest in art led Bob to join the Scottish Society of Architect Artists concentrating on pencil, watercolour and pastel works. He has received an SSAA Award and 3 Pittenweem Arts Festival Open Painting Day Awards. As secretary of the Society Bob became very active in arranging exhibitions around Scotland and in reinforcing strong reciprocal relations with similar architect-artist groups in Venice, Verona, Paris, Warsaw and Stuttgart.
This has led to regular art trips throughout Europe opening many new exhibition opportunities for other members of the Society. In 2012 Bob personally hosted the Royal visit of our Patron, HRH Duke of Gloucester at the 25th Anniversary celebrations of SSAA in the House for an Art Lover in Glasgow.
SSAA MEMBER No48 M STEWART HUME 1929 - 2019
Malcolm Stewart Hume studied architecture at Glasgow School of Art and later converted the degree to BArch from the Univesity of Strathclyde. He was elected ARIBA in 1954 and ARIAS in 1958 and joined Hay & Steel (later Hay Steel MacFarlane & Partners) .
One of the founding members of the SSAA, Stewart shared his early recollections: "I joined the Society after I got a circular letter from Hamish Haswell-Smith. It made no mention of SSAA but only 'Ligne et Couleur'. I was a nationalist (not a political one) and wrote to Hamish saying that we were a Scottish Society and should not be apparently a French Society - he wrote back and put me straight! We first exhibited at the McLellan Galleries Glasgow, in 1988. Like many architects I didn't know what to expect ….was I good enough? I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the submissions were good, and the Exhibition first class."
SSAA MEMBER No.211 PHILIP H SPENCE (1933 - 2019)
Philip Spence developed a rich technique in painting oils, watercolours and acrylics, unfolding a variety of landscapes and scenes. From rocky crags taking the beating of Scotland’s relentless surf, to some of the quietest nooks and crannies of worldwide locations, Philip’s work had a depth of character that reflected his passion for painting.
The fishing villages of the east neuk of Fife were the subjects of some of his earliest works, yet his style and subjects grew and developed over the years to incorporate changing autumnal colours of the city and dappled undulating hills of the rugged Scottish landscape and far beyond.
SSAA MEMBER no95 ALLAN T PENDREIGH 1932 - 2012
Allan Pendreigh, architect, artist and jazz musician, was born in Dalkeith and started his professional career as a design engineer in the drawing office of MacTaggart Scott in Loanhead. Allan studied mechanical engineering and after National Service in the Royal Engineers he studied architecture at Glasgow and Edinburgh, earning two awards: Distinction in Design and the City of Edinburgh Medal for Civic Design. As an architect at the Property Services Agency Allan’s early projects included the plant houses at the Royal Botanic Garden, several civic projects including the Institute of Geological Science of the University of Edinburgh, and an extension of Parliament House. Allan became a renowned artist, painting, sketching and teaching art courses, and was an enthusiastic supporter of the SSAA regularly exhibiting throughout Scotland.
SSAA MEMBER No66 IAIN WEBSTER 1938 - 2014
Iain Webster was born in Musselburgh and was educated at Musselburgh Grammar School where he displayed an early talent in art. He studied architecture and town planning at Edinburgh College of Art qualifying in 1964. Iain worked in Edinburgh before joining Falkirk District Council, subsequently Central Regional Council ultimately becoming Chief Assistant Director based in Stirling. Beyond architecture he was active in his community in Bridge of Allan and with the management of Alloa Tower, historic churches and the Stirling Civic Trust.
Webster served on RIAS Council and the Stirling Chapter. Throughout his life he drew and painted watercolours, particularly of local buildings which he exhibited widely with the SSAA and at Stirling Art Club.
SSAA MEMBER no7 SIR H ANTHONY WHEELER OBE PPRIAS PPRSA 1919-2014
‘Tony’ Wheeler was born in Stranraer, Wigtownshire, and in 1936 began his apprenticeship with local architect, A MacLean Goudie. Throughout his career, Sir Anthony Wheeler placed a great value on the integration of art within design. He frequently obtained special funding to include art works in his buildings as at the Students’ Union in St Andrews for a mural by David McClure. His interest in the relationship between art and architecture was recognised by his election as President of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1983–90 and President of the RIAS from 1973 to 1975. ‘Tony’ was a regular exhibitor in SSAA Exhibitions.
SSAA MEMBER no 22 JACK NOTMAN 1927 -2009
Jack Notman’s ability to take architectectural skills into the world of theatre, television and movies highlighted his versatility, eye for colour and attention to detail. His life long association with the performing arts brought close friendships. Notman was at school with Stanley Baxter. Years later Joyce Grenfell became a good friend. Creating sets and costumes for a production of Romeo and Juliet in Regent’s Park was to bring about a wonderfully close friendship with director Judi Dench that lasted until Jack Notman’s death.
SSAA MEMBER No.27 DONALD McD WEBSTER 1924 – 2007
'Donnie' was born in Buckhaven Fife, and started work in aero engineering with Rolls Royce. Rejected by the RAF due to colour blindness he studied drawing and painting at Edinburgh College of Art before being called up to the Tank Corps. He returned to study architecture and following graduation moved to Nigeria for much of his professional career. With two colleagues he formed Design Group Nigeria which is still active. Donnie was an energetic founding member of SSAA and a real polymath, whose colourful, sparky paintings often raised eyebrows.
SSAA MEMBER No2 CHRIS CARTER 1926 – 2002
John Christopher Carter studied at the School of Architecture, Edinburgh College of Art and became a partner in Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall & Partners in 1966. Chris Carter was a keen watercolourist and exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Scottish Society for Painters in Watercolour. He was always interested in the outdoors and in wildlife and this stimulated an interest and work in landscape design.