CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Early Eardley: Selected Works 1940 - 1950

Joan Eardley is one of Scotland's most celebrated artists, this exhibition at The Glasgow School of Art offers the opportunity to see her early works, for which she is lesser known.

Early Eardley: Selected Works 1940 - 1950

About Early Eardley: Selected Works 1940 - 1950

Listed Under Exhibitions Events

Joan Eardley, Covered Market, Glasgow, (c1945-1949)
NMC/0087 In the collection of GSA Archives & Collections © Estate of Joan Eardley. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2023


Joan Eardley (1921-1963) is one of Scotland’s most celebrated artists, best known for her depictions of Glasgow’s street children and of Scotland’s North East coastline. This exhibition offers the opportunity to see Eardley’s early works, for which she is lesser known, in order to show the ways in which her formative time at The Glasgow School of Art and early experiences from 1940-50 informed the direction and development of her later work.

The works in this exhibition are drawn from The Glasgow School of Art Archives & Collections, Lillie Art Gallery, City Art Centre, Gerber Fine Art and the Estate of Joan Eardley. The exhibition features life drawings made while Eardley was a student in the 1940s, as well as drawings made while undertaking The Glasgow School of Art and RSA Carnegie Travelling Scholarships in Italy and France (1948-49). Some of these drawings – of people, landscape and architecture – are shown along with the scholarship report she was required to submit to the then Director, Douglas Percy Bliss, and other correspondence. The exhibition also includes a small group of sketches from Lincolnshire made during a period spent in the county to undertake a mural commission at a school in 1946. A further two drawings, from the GSA’s Archives & Collections are of scenes from Glasgow’s famous Barras Market.

‘Early Eardley: selected works 1940-1950’ introduces audiences to the artist as a young woman, still learning, experimenting and developing as a painter. The drawings demonstrate Eardley’s emerging talent and the range and breadth of her interests. Materials Eardley used in her work included pen, ink, chalks, watercolour and blue biro.

This exhibition is curated by Jenny Brownrigg, Director of GSA Exhibitions, and Professor Susannah Thompson, Head of Doctoral Studies at the GSA. It is in partnership with The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections.

Sponsored Links

Cancer Research UK
Fayre Play
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Number 10 Hotel

Similar events you might like...

Retro Reels

Retro Reels

10th January 2026 - 29th January 2026

Step back in time at Riverside Museum and immerse yourself in the unforgettable world of 1980s cinema, on a nostalgic journey through the props, stories, and creativity that shaped a generation.

READ MORE
Wintering Well: Living With SAD Exhibition

Wintering Well: Living With SAD Exhibition

12th January 2026 - 9th February 2026

This free mini-exhibition at The Mitchell Library showcases a creative collaboration between the Universities of Glasgow & Edinburgh and local residents living with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

READ MORE
Thompson150: Exhibition

Thompson150: Exhibition

Selected dates between 13th January 2026 - 22nd January 2026

This January Glasgow Life and The Mitchell Library are delighted to be hosting an exhibition by The Alexander Thomson Society marking the 150th anniversary of the death of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson.

READ MORE
The Scottish Motorhome, Caravan & Holiday Home Show

The Scottish Motorhome, Caravan & Holiday Home Show

5th February 2026 - 8th February 2026

The Scottish Motorhome, Caravan & Holiday Home Show returns to the Scottish Event Campus for 2026 between the 5th and 8th of February!

READ MORE
Surreal: International Photography Exhibition

Surreal: International Photography Exhibition

5th February 2026 - 28th February 2026

In February, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography will be displaying a month-long international photography exhibition with the theme Surreal running throughout the month.

READ MORE
Diptych/Triptych: International Photography Exhibition

Diptych/Triptych: International Photography Exhibition

5th February 2026 - 28th February 2026

In February, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography will be displaying a month-long international photography exhibition with the theme Diptych/Triptych running throughout the month.

READ MORE
The Creative Craft Show and The Scottish Quilting Show

The Creative Craft Show and The Scottish Quilting Show

5th March 2026 - 7th March 2026

The Scottish Quilting Show and The Creative Craft Show return to Glasgow in March, celebrating the skills and talents of artists and crafters; inspiring visitors to take up a hobby of their own!

READ MORE
Women in Photography: International Photography Exhibition

Women in Photography: International Photography Exhibition

5th March 2026 - 28th March 2026

In March, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography will be displaying a month-long international photography exhibition showing the work of Women in Photography running throughout the month.

READ MORE
Environment: International Photography Exhibition

Environment: International Photography Exhibition

5th March 2026 - 28th March 2026

In March, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography will be displaying a month-long international photography exhibition with the theme Environment running throughout the month.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Cancer Research UK
Enjoy East Ren
City Of Glasgow Chorus
ATG

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

Cancer Research UK
Fayre Play
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Number 10 Hotel
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Cancer Research UK
Enjoy East Ren
City Of Glasgow Chorus
ATG

Popular Events

Indiepalooza
Indie-rock tribute festival, Indiepalooza, featuring leading tributes to the Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Sam Fender, Stone Roses and Kasabian comes to The Barrowlands on Saturday 10th January!
Partick Farmers Market
This popular farmers market brings rural Scotland to the centre of Glasgow's West End twice a month!
Day Fever Glasgow
DAY FEVER RETURNS TO GLASGOW! Yes, that's right! Day Fever, the Saturday daytime disco, that doesn't ruin your Sunday, is returning to BAaD in 2026!
Retro Reels
Step back in time at Riverside Museum and immerse yourself in the unforgettable world of 1980s cinema, on a nostalgic journey through the props, stories, and creativity that shaped a generation.
Jock and the Beanstalk
Come and join your favourite Pavilion pals for a GIANT of a panto with the fabulous festive adventure Jock and the Beanstalk!

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro