Museum exhibition features exquisite art by Ron Sandford

Ron Sandford was born in 1937, in Greenock, and trained in etching and engraving at Glasgow School of Art from 1956 to 1960. He subsequently studied at the Royal College of Art in London and was later to teach there and at the Central School of Art and Design, St Martin’s School of Art and Brighton School of Art.

He’s known for his detailed architectural drawings and expressive mark-making. His works, characterised by a deep reverence for place and precision, have appeared in collaborations with renowned institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum.

The move – to Cullivoe, in Yell – followed a visit to Shetland. Since then, Ron has immersed himself in the Shetland landscape, producing a remarkable body of work that captures the essence of the islands. Here, these pieces take their place alongside work founded on his international experiences, which included time spent living and working in Hong Kong. There’s clear evidence of Chinese and Japanese influences in the pieces he made there.

He describes the pieces as a selection of drawings that would not take ‘no’ for an answer and made for no apparent reason other than evidence of themselves and the spirit of the places depicted; and it’s drawing that is at the centre of his artistic expression. He mostly uses pen, ink and watercolour, but sometimes produces linocut prints, some of which are included in the exhibition.

The exhibition is curated to reflect the rhythm and contrasts of his life and work, offering viewers a journey from the quiet intimacy of Shetland peat banks to the vibrant, towering skylines and energy of Hong Kong.

Shetland Museum’s exhibition officer, Karen Clubb, explains: “The Gadderie walls are alive with Ron’s distinctive style and vision. His large-scale pieces are technically breathtaking - yet personal. Intricate architectural vistas sit beside informal everyday details. His daily sketchbooks are equally compelling, capturing everything from a fish on a plate, a Shetland wildflower, to the hush of a community hall with the same care and curiosity.

“There is a sense of movement throughout the exhibition, a pace that captures the unexpected, each corner bringing new shifts in mood and place, transporting us from the pulse of city life to the meditative stillness of rural Shetland.”

In his own words, “The spirit of a place must be felt rather than seen.” His work moves effortlessly between the intimate and the monumental, reminding us that place is both where we stand, and how we make sense of the world around us.

All works in the exhibition are available for sale, with the added option of 10 monthly interest-free payments through the ‘Own Art’ scheme. Many works have already been sold, but the museum has listed those that were not at the time of writing.

An exhibition catalogue is also available for purchase. All framing has been carried out by the Whalefirth Men’s Shed.

Spirit of Places runs until 10 August.