Evocative images of Fife’s vanished industrial landscapes feature in an exhibition that celebrates a much-loved artist’s 80th birthday. 

Evocative images of Fife’s vanished industrial landscapes feature in an exhibition that celebrates a much-loved artist’s 80th birthday.

Artworks by James Marshall Dickson that capture the Kingdom’s lost railway and mining heritage are on show at Lochgelly Centre until 28 February.

Paintings and photographs spanning the artist’s career feature in the free exhibition, which includes many watercolour scenes inspired by childhood memories.

The Kirkcaldy-born artist, who lives in Lochgelly, has exhibited across the UK for many years and his work is included in a number of local authority art collections.

Mr Dickson has also run art classes at Lochgelly Centre and has strong ties with the local community. His enthusiasm has inspired people of all ages to pick up a paintbrush and discover art for themselves.

Industrial landscapes were all around him in his early years. “The sight, sound, colour and texture of industry was everywhere,” the artist remembers.

“This had a strong visual impact on me and, in adult years. I came back to this imagery – working in water-based media but using rollers and a large variety of textural media to give the surfaces my work requires.

He vividly recalls drawing the pit at the bottom of the playground during higher art classes at Beath High and, on leaving school, he pursued his passion for painting at Edinburgh College of Art.

While studying in Edinburgh, he met future leading lights of the Scottish art scene, such as Fife-born Sandy Moffat and Port Seton’s John Bellany.

Dickson went into teaching after college and was encouraged to continue painting by the head of the art department at Ballingry Junior High School, Davy Lockhart.

Find out how James Marshall Dickson became interested in industrial landscapes and hear him explain how his painting Monument to the Michael was created: Click Here