What's On

This year’s Tower Exhibitions will begin with this joint exhibition of paintings by Evie Jamieson and Lorna Balmer

EVIE JAMIESON

Evie Jamieson is a self-taught artist who agrees she has had much help from others over the years. She lived in Africa and Europe and more recently London. Her return to Scotland in 2018 changed her approach to painting and subject matter. To expand her work practice she has been part of a mentoring group in Edinburgh led by artist Paul Mowat for the past four years. 

Her current work she has been exploring mixed media, acrylic paint, collage, ink and crayon on board from sketches and photography.

LORNA BALMER

Previously professionally employed and based in Edinburgh, Lorna now paints full time after studying Drawing, Painting and Printing at Leith School of Art, Edinburgh, followed by a Masters in Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee.

Lorna's paintings are a variety of media including the use of acrylic and oil paints, collage and the drawn mark. Lorna also recycles old paintings thus utilising already prepared surfaces allowing new and exciting images to emerge.

On freshly prepared surfaces Lorna works within the the negative random shapes created with the use of collage and mixed media on board, canvas and card. Lorna enjoys the sense of abstract and serendipity both of these processes bring to her paintings.

Instagram @lornabalmer

In this, hopefully thought-provoking, talk Roger asks his listeners what is nature to you, describes what is happening around the world and in Scotland, asks who is in charge and suggests what needs to be done.

Roger trained as a geographer and geomorphologist. He worked in universities, The Scottish Office, and was the Founder CEO of Scottish Natural Heritage. Roger hopes to help people understand the Earth’s heritage and environment, and to care for it more effectively.

He remains active in the voluntary environmental and educational bodies in Scotland, the UK, and internationally. His work has been recognised by numerous honours and awards internationally, in the UK, Scotland and Iceland.

This is the last of this season's Winter Talks; refreshments afterwards.

The talks are free, but a donation to Dr Neil’s Garden would be welcomed.

We are four artists working in three different media: painting, printmaking and photography. In this exhibition we hope you will enjoy seeing how our shared interest in the natural world is expressed in a variety of ways.

EIKO YAMASHITA is a printmaker and painter based in Edinburgh. She graduated with MA Fine Art from Wimbledon College of Arts in 2002 and moved to Scotland the following year.

Her recent works are about nature and nature worship, inspired by Hokusai and other 18-19th century Japanese artists who depicted hills, lakes and woods as objects of worship. These ideas are from Japanese Shinto, animism which deeply influenced Japanese culture and philosophy. Another theme is gravity. She has been creating prints and paintings of the human body in air and water, symbolizing the conflicted feelings of restraint & stability, freedom & uncertainty, anxiety & healing.

She is a member of Edinburgh Printmakers and Society of Scottish Artists.

KOMACHI GOTO is an artist whose work blends diverse cultural influences. She studied at City & Guilds Art School, Slade School of Fine Art (BA Hons), and Glasgow School of Art (MFA).

Komachi has exhibited mainly in Edinburgh and London, including The Mall Gallery and the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. She has received awards such as Best Drawing & 1st Prize at the East Linton Art Competition and the ING DE Drawing Bursary.

As co-founder of A New Primer collective, she organizes open-call exhibitions in Edinburgh. She has undertaken residencies in Sapporo, Edinburgh's Anatomical Museum, and Thailand, exploring earthen building and natural pigments.

PATRICK POON takes a daily walk with his camera in Edinburgh’s green spaces and coastline. He is sometimes lucky enough to capture the extraordinary amongst the ordinary. He takes pleasure in sharing these serendipitous images.

HARRY MAFUJI lives in Edinburgh and his paintings are inspired by the history, culture and nature that fill the city and its surroundings. He studied at Middlesex University (BA Fine Art), Chelsea Art College (MA), and Edinburgh University (MSc Art History).

While a student in London he established the Mafuji Gallery, a venue for contemporary artists to gain experience in exhibiting their work – and part of his search for the meaning of art. He has been invited to exhibit at the Ishikawa International Salon in Kanazawa City, Japan, March 2026.