Scotsman Obituaries: Alison Auldjo, art gallery curator and talented artist in her own right

The Union Gallery was established in 2009, and quickly earned a formidable reputation for showing artists whose work other galleries might have considered non-commercial, challenging, or provocative.

Initially located in Broughton Street and later moving to Drumsheugh Place, Alison nurtured the careers of countless artists over 14 years, including Joyce Gunn Cairns, Sophie McKay Knight, Henry Jabbour, Jane Askey, Greer Ralston, Alexandra Warren, Olivia Irvine, Ian Rawnsley, Imogen Alabaster, Jenny Matthews, Marlo Michelle, Chris Donnelly & Fiona Thomson, Carol Read & Richard Ballantyne, Carl Newman, and many others – the list is long.

So many of the artists will remember Alison as a humble, generous and inspiring figure, “quietly brilliant” in her own right, while always shining a light on others.

Though deeply private, Alison was herself a gifted painter, and would periodically show her own work within the gallery – and it was only in her viscerally lovely solo exhibitions there in 2011, 2014 and 2019, where the full calibre of her artistic talent become widely known, revealing the sensitivity, technical mastery, and emotional depth that had always informed her curatorial work, and gaining recognition from art critics.

Her paintings depicted nature, landscapes and animals, and had a far-reaching, otherworldly quality, which was magical to encounter. They were technically beautiful, mature and deeply felt – quite simply, her work was raw, beautiful and disarmingly sensitive.

She once said of her paintings: “I like paintings that demonstrate how the work was fought with and nurtured. I like ‘battle scars’, mark making and layers of thought. I tend to stop at nothing to achieve the effects I want.”

Alison was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, although she had first noticed a lump in 2019. At that time she was told it was dense tissue, which seemed like such a relief, but by the time of diagnosis, she had two tumours – one was HER2 and the other one was the aggressive triple-negative type; and she was told that treatment would be difficult and complicated.

Alison underwent chemotherapy, an operation to remove the tumours, and radiotherapy, which successfully resulted in her being cancer free.

Tragically, the cancer returned in a very aggressive form and in May 2025 after Alison had pains in her chest and hip, a CT scan showed that the cancer had spread to her bones, liver and lungs.

Despite this devastating news, Alison kept a very positive attitude. However, she was told, on 24 June that the outlook was one to three years life expectancy but, along with her husband John Downie, Alison hoped that a cure may be found in that time. Sadly, the cancer was so aggressive she had less than three months to live, and she passed on 16 September 2025.

Happiest in her studio or spending time with her husband John and dog Dennis, Alison found peace in painting and in nature.

She seemed unaware of how exemplary her own art was, but I hope she knew how much she inspired others to keep going in the face of a difficult creative climate. Alison's talent, ability to connect with her artists' work, and unfailing support, will never be forgotten.

The Union Gallery closed its doors in 2022, and Alison’s new gallery, Lady Mâché, opened in North Berwick in July 2024. It really was her pride and joy; she would often be seen painting away and just enjoying the more relaxed pace by the sea.

Alison leaves behind her devoted husband John, her father (himself a gifted artist), her stepmother, sister and brother, close friends, and last but not least, her faithful ever-present boxer Dennis, who was always by her side in the gallery.

She will be forever missed by all who loved her, especially her husband John, who wrote these words for Alison:

“Alison, my wife, my darling my best friend everer. Some of you may be surprised at that word but that is only because you grew up and lost your inner child. Alison gave me back mine, so we could see things in it’s simplest form and even make up our very own words!

“Alison was the kindest, loveliest, most caring and considerate person I have ever known. Monica, my sister, used 26 such descriptive words in a card she sent Ali and even that did not scratch the surface. The world has lost it’s loveliest person everer.”

My heart is shattered. There are no words to heal

Nothing you can say to understand how I feel

I've lost my darling, my deepest love

Now sorrow surrounds me, like a smothering glove.

I remember back to the night we met

It was perfect, like the stage was set

Now, no one can ever steal

Those memories or the love I feel

Maybe it's true that time can heal

Don't feel it now, doubt I ever will

My heart is shattered, but I love you still

Obituaries

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