First woman president of RSA to be celebrated in major exhibition

The first woman to be elected president of the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) - almost 200 years after it was founded - is to be celebrated in a major exhibition of her life and work.

The RSA is to present Joyce W Cairns: A Personal Odyssey, bringing together major bodies of work from across Cairns’ career, tracing her distinctive autobiographical approach to painting.

Drawing on personal experiences, family history and place, Cairns’ paintings move between the domestic and the historical - weaving together narratives that are rooted in childhood memories, her life in Aberdeen’s historic fishing community of Footdee and wider reflections on conflict and loss.

The exhibition, part of celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the RSA in the largest ever event of its kind in Scotland, traces the development of Cairns’ personal style, positioning her as a linchpin in the trajectory of contemporary Scottish art.

Cairns, who held the post of president of the RSAfrom 2018 to 2022, has had a long relationship with the RSA. Her first memory of the institution dates to 1963, when she visited the society’s annual exhibition as a schoolgirl.

The exhibition will celebrate the work of Joyce Cairns. | RSA

She first exhibited in the exhibition in 1971 and was elected an associate of the RSA in 1985, becoming a full academician in 1998. In 2018 she made history as the first woman to be elected President of the Royal Scottish Academy, serving until 2022.

Flora La Thangue, head of programming at the RSA, said: “We are delighted to be exhibiting this vast collection from Joyce W Cairns PPRSA this Summer at the RSA. A Personal Odyssey recognises her many contributions and offers a comprehensive collection of her work across the years, exemplifying how integral she is to Scottish art.

“Cairns was the first woman to be elected President of the RSA back in 2018, serving until 2022 and it is wonderful that we can mark and celebrate her work this year as part of the RSA’s bicentenary programme.”

The RSA was founded in Edinburgh in 1826 by a group of artists and architects looking to create a less elitist organisation. More than 100 venues and galleries across Scotland and beyond are to host exhibitions this year to celebrate its 200th anniversary. An interactive map on the RSA’s website will allow the public to browse the full programme by location.

A self portrait of Joyce Cairns. | RSA

Last year, three artists and two architects were elected to the role of academicians at the Royal Scottish Academy in the first all-female appointment at the ancient institution.

Julie Brook, Anna Geerdes, Moyna Flannigan, Denise Bennetts and Eilidh Henderson joined renowned names including Sir William Gillies and Elizabeth Blackadder to be invited to participate in the life of the Academy by sitting on committees and awards panels, as well as taking on office bearer roles.

Last week, Queen Camilla visited the RSA during Royal Week, when she suggested “a few” of King Charles’ paintings could be brought to the institution.

The Joyce Cairns exhibition, at the RSA gallery, located on The Mound in Edinburgh, will run from 1 August to 2 September.