Art collection of Scottish Coronation Street producer acquired for nation

The display, from the collection of Charlie Nairn, who also worked as an assistant to photographer Oscar Marzaroli, spotlights pioneering artists who studied and taught at Scotland’s art schools in the early 20th Century, such as William McCance, James Cowie, Edward Baird and William Crosbie.

Assembled over many years by private collector Mr Nairn, of Perthshire, the artworks were allocated through the HM Government Acceptance in Lieu scheme, which enables owners to transfer important works of art into public ownership in place of tax.

This major acquisition of 58 beautiful and compelling paintings and drawings, transforms the nation’s art collection, helping better represent the work of modern Scottish artists and demonstrating the important role of Scotland’s art schools. Including works by several Aberdeen and Glasgow-trained artists, this significant collection tells stories about the creative communities around the country.

The collection also features significant works by British artists such as Cecil Collins and John Tunnard, both of whom were associated with the surrealist movement.

Mr Nairn studied at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, before becoming assistant to Marzaroli and then working for Granada TV for nearly four decades.

He was also behind programmes including 1990s show Superscots on BBC One Scotland, presented by Jackie Bird and Dougie Donnelly.

His father’s family were successful late 19th century Kirkcaldy industrialists and instilled in Mr Nairn a love of art. He began collecting Scottish art in the 1980s, partly at the encouragement o Marzaroli and his wife Anne, a sculptor who taught at the Glasgow School of Art.

Mr Nairn said: “It’s a delight to know that these paintings and drawings, which I’ve known for so many years are now being looked after by the National Galleries of Scotland for the benefit of the public. My love of art began early and developed through encounters with some terrific artists and individuals, both abroad and here in Scotland. Although I’d originally been drawn to European modernism, I was encouraged to look at the work of those closer to home by the photographer Oscar Marzaroli, who I worked for as camera-assistant, and particularly his wife, the sculptor Anne Marzaroli, who taught at the Glasgow School of Art.

“Their enthusiastic championing of Scottish artists was instrumental in this group of works coming together. Seeing some of these drawings and paintings now on display at Modern One has been a great pleasure. I hope many people will have a chance to enjoy them, and will discover these important Scottish artists for themselves.”

The newly acquired artworks also explore the impact of Surrealism and other avant-garde movements, and the wider context of the mid-twentieth century, on British artists.

Lucy Askew, head of modern and contemporary art and chief curator at the National Galleries of Scotland said: ‘This extraordinary gift to the people of Scotland significantly enhances how we can show and share the work of an important group of artists. We are incredibly grateful to HM Government and to Charlie Nairn for enabling these wonderful works to join the national art collection here in Scotland where they can be enjoyed by visitors and contribute to further research into modern Scottish and British history of art.”

The collection is now on display at National Galleries Scotland: Modern One and is free to visit.