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Photo Feature

Scottish artist’s innovative works move from Cheekwood to VUMC

Craig Black’s paintings, in both 2-D and 3-D, are now on display in TVC

by February 6, 2023

Craig Black at work on one of his striking “orbs,” several of which are on display in The Vanderbilt Clinic. Photo by Wes Kingston; courtesy Craig Black Studios, Greenock, Scotland, U.K.

Four paintings on wood panels and three paintings on acrylic “orbs” by Scottish artist Craig Black are now on display at The Vanderbilt Clinic (TVC).

The art came to Vanderbilt University Medical Center after Black’s residency at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens in Nashville, and are on the second floor of TVC in the hallway running from the garage entrance toward the Courtyard Café.

“The wood panels are pops of color that lead and engage visitors down the hallway toward their clinic appointments, and the orbs look like magical floating globes,” said Jenny Lewis, program manager for VUMC Arts. There are three additional “orbs” that were donated and will be placed on public display at VUMC later.

The hallway in The Vanderbilt Clinic featuring art from Scottish artist Craig Black. Photo by Erin O. Smith

Black, who currently runs an art studio in Greenock, Scotland, is best known for his “acrylic fusion” technique, according to information provided by Cheekwood when he was named the Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence last year.

The Cheekwood release also notes that Black’s “versatile analogue process of hand pouring layers of acrylic paint…creates a unique and mesmerizing effect.”

Lewis concurs: “Everyone who walks past has stopped to admire the art and makes a positive comment on how cool they are.”

Lewis said that after Black’s four-week residency at Cheekwood was finished, he wanted to donate the art to a place where the pieces would be highly visible and enjoyed by many people.

“What better place than VUMC?” she said.

Some examples of Craig Black’s art (photos courtesy VUMC Arts)

Title: Fourth

Title: Macdui

Title: Clyde

Title: The Cobbler

Title: Tay

Jenny Lewis, Art, Adult Clinics