‘Big Art Show has become the huge art show’, said Outspoken Arts’ Steven Thomson at the opening night celebration of Big Art Show 2023, which was attended by several hundred artists with families and friends. There are 1,712 works on show in Paisley, in one of the biggest open art shows in the UK, beating even the Royal Academy summer show.

Once again this year the show has captured the imagination of artists not just in Paisley but from across Scotland and beyond. The number of artists has increased from 370 to almost 600, and the show in The Art Department has expanded from one floor of 1,000 exhibits in 2022 to two floors with 1,700 exhibits, plus RE:MARKS, the new addition providing a dedicated space for film and video. RE:MARKS has been created by re-purposing the former Marks and Spencer store at 15 – 21 High Street.

15 prizes from the exhibition’s supporters were awarded on the show’s opening night, with the Art Paisley Prize to be decided over the course of the show by public vote and be awarded on 1st November. However, it’s really about taking part – 600 artists can say they are part of one show!

There are a good number of returning artists, but also many new ones participating too. Artists included come from all kinds of creative backgrounds – some are art school graduates, some attend evening or weekend classes, some are entirely self-taught, some have made work at school, and all ages are represented. Big Art Show displays their work side-by-side, which is a good and encouraging thing.

Everyone visiting will have their own favourites, and of course there is so much to see – like last year, I can only highlight a few from the show, so here is a selection of works that caught my eye.

One of the show’s featured artists, Marion Gardyne shows a number of distinctive works, in the Art Department shop window and in the main space of the show. These are collage works using decorative details of Glasgow architecture, including Tenement Tiles Re-imagined, using photographs of different designs of tenement tiles in a unique arrangement.

Tony Fitzpatrick (Legend) is a painting by Evan Dickson – a tribute to St Mirren FC’s celebrated captain, painted in the format of a collectable football card. Evan attends art classes at ‘Made in Paisley’ which runs classes for children and adults. I really like this one!

Human emotions are clearly evident in Eleanor Buffam’s paintings, a diptych entitled Mirror, mirror 1 and Mirror, mirror 2 where different aspects of one person are conveyed across the two pictures in mirror images.

Circular Movement painted by Robert Henshelwood in black and white and inspired by the Op Art movement, skilfully conveys a dramatic optical effect which the artist describes as putting the eye ‘out of kilter’.

Paisley Town Hall by Rebecca Johnstone in mixed media (a Big Art Show prize winner) is a photograph of the landmark building overlayed with colourful and vibrant hand-drawn interpretations of the traditional ‘Paisley Pattern’.

3D Venice by James Gibson, painted in acrylic, is a well executed example of an unusual technique – painted on faceted surfaces, obtaining a surprising perspective effect.

Sea Through 1 by Jade Stout, one of six landscape pieces by the artist in the  show, is a painted semi-abstract seascape in blues, greys and greens, inspired by Orkney.

The Barrowland Ballroom a mosaic by Hayley Percival, part of her I Love Glasgow series, uses stained glass and small pieces of neon glass, successfully conveying the night-time illuminated frontage of the iconic music venue.

Homage to Escher No.2 by Geraldine McSporran is a leaded glass panel depicting several varieties of moth, the artist says it is inspired by one of Escher’s graphic prints and her love of British & Irish moths.

Scottish Terrier Racing by Nigel Young is a photograph to make everyone smile! This action scene was compiled from three original images of ‘Moss’ the Border Terrier.

The new dedicated space for film and video – RE:MARKS – has ample room for three large projection screens and eight monitor screens. After the run of this show it is hoped that this versatile space will be used by many other artists.

Bound by Laura Macaulay is a Big Art Show prize-winner amongst the film presentations: taking the prize for an artist under 25, it is a short dance/movement video piece filmed at the historic drying green on Glasgow Green in the east end of Glasgow.

There will be something in Big Art Show to suit everyone’s taste and budget. Many works are priced at less than £100, advancing through several £100s to some over £2,000. The labelling of works incorporates a QR code, allowing the viewer to find information about the artist and their artist’s statement about each work, and there is also an illustrated full-colour show catalogue, priced £5.

A programme of free creative learning workshops runs across the duration of the show and the central location of the show at the Paisley Centre again should prove beneficial for the businesses of Paisley town centre. With tangible goodwill towards the show from its sponsors and many supporters, Big Art Show is a great example of arts and commerce working together successfully to make a positive contribution to the town of Paisley and help revitalise the cultural life of the town.

Once again, presenting the show has been a huge undertaking and the organisers Outspoken Arts and Art Paisley Ltd. and all the volunteers who assisted in mounting the show are to be congratulated on a fantastic result.

With thanks to Gordon Reid for this review, and thanks from Artmag to Steven Thomson and Lisa Watt of Outspoken Arts Scotland for all their kind help.