Alan Davie: Scottish Prints

It is all too easy to miss the small billboard outside the door of the RSA, the sole advertisement for the showing of two decades' work by the artist Alan Davie. Equally, it is easy to miss the direction that leads you down a small staircase to the lower rooms of the gallery where this short yet slightly bittersweet display can be found. The main body of the exhibition, spanning two walls, shows a series of thirteen copper etchings published by the Edinburgh Printmakers in 2007. These are placed alongside a small selection of coloured screenprints that have also have origin in the artist’s birthplace.

In spite of Davie's Scottish roots the pieces, in particular the etchings, possess a strong cross-cultural influence through the primitive elements, mystical symbols, and foreign script that he frequently plays with. Bally Stomp in particular is striking through the intensity of its decorative line work, reminiscent of Indian henna design, whereas the curving patterns within Womb Way evoke the geometric designs of native African dress. The work also relates to Davie’s career as a jazz musician, where the undulating patterns of line and shape create a sense of movement that runs parallel to the improvised rhythms of this musical form. What we see is an interesting tension between the personal passions of the artist, coupled with his experiences of travelling; something that is drawn together nicely by the show’s location on the artist’s home turf.

It is unfortunate, however, that the merits of the exhibition set-up end here. Aside from the main body of etchings, the quantity of other work on display is scarce, and in spite of their independent artistic value, their inclusion only serves to weaken the overall strength and unity of the exhibition rather than to enhance it. Although there are interesting works to view, it is hard to leave without wanting more from the show. After all, the RSA makes a point of naming Davie as "one of the greatest living Scottish artists". It seems ironic that neither the size of the show nor its publicity reflect this claim.