A local artist has won an award for a painting currently on display at a national exhibition with another Forres artist’s work.
Kenneth Le Riche claimed the Scottish Arts Club Prize for his ‘Wall, Ladder, Patch of Blue and Figure’ in the Society of Scottish Artists (SSA) 127th annual exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.
Kenneth Le Riche’s prize-winning painting, Wall, Ladder, Patch of Blue and Figure is on show at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.
He said: “This is my first award at the SSA annual and I’m over the moon!
“The painting is oil paint on panel. Aesthetics and the relationships of the various elements of composition like colour, texture, line, tone and emphasis were considered throughout the creative process and built up through continual improvisation.”
Le Riche describes his works as “invented psychological mindscapes inspired by interests including anthropology, geometry and psychology”. His dystopian imagery reflects his belief in the power of art to provoke enquiry.
Typically working in oil and mixed media, Kenneth also works on paper through drawing or using drypoint, monotype and other print media.
He graduated with a BA Hons at Edinburgh College of Art in 1998, where he also won an Andrew Grant Scholarship. Kenneth then graduated from the New York Academy of Art with a Master of Fine Arts with distinction in 2003.
Crochet Pieces by 2025 graduate, Codie Anne.
Since then, he has regularly had work selected for prestigious exhibitions and has work in collections around the world.
The SSA annual exhibition features established and emerging artists from Scotland and beyond. It is open every day until February 4.
Kenneth highly respects the SSA.
“It’s always very contemporary,” he said, “which gives it an edge. Showing in the centre of Edinburgh at such a prestigious building brings lots of artists to the attention of thousands so it’s a great opportunity.”
Also from Forres and featured in the event is 2025 Art graduate, Codie Anne, whose work is in crochet.
The Royal Scottish Academy at The Mound in Edinburgh.
She said: “Learning to knit, crochet, cross stitch and work with other fibre arts from a young age, has allowed me to shape and develop my own craft.
“By taking the skills taught to me by the women before me in my family, I am encouraging a modern twist to these traditional arts.”
SSA co-president, Luke Vinnicombe, confirmed a wide range and diversity of art, from video and installation to ceramics, prints and glass.
He finished: “We are keen to give artists the space to express themselves. We aim to show the newest and most exciting contemporary art around and it is important to get artists from all parts of Scotland.”
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