Sculpture in Plaster

Exhibitions are open Wed – Sun (10am-5pm)

Summerhall Arts presents a retrospective exhibition dedicated to the sculptural practice of Gareth Fisher, tracing a career that spans over five decades. Born in Cumbria in 1951, Fisher studied at Edinburgh College of Art, earning a Diploma in Sculpture in 1976, followed by postgraduate study. Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, he worked in Edinburgh, serving as Chairperson of the New 57 Gallery, before transitioning into academia at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, where he was appointed Professor of Sculpture in 2006. In recognition of his contributions to the field, Fisher was elected President of the Royal Scottish Academy in 2022.

This exhibition offers a focused exploration of Fisher’s enduring engagement with plaster—a material that has remained a constant throughout his practice. While his oeuvre encompasses wood, bronze, aluminium, and stone, plaster holds a particular resonance, capturing a sense of immediacy and fragility that defines much of his work. Given the ephemeral nature of the medium, some pieces have been lost over time due to storage constraints, and others remain in private and institutional collections unavailable for loan. Nonetheless, the selection presented here offers a compelling insight into Fisher’s mastery of form, texture, and spatial composition.

Previously exhibited works were often housed in cases to protect their delicate surfaces. In the setting of the Lab Gallery, this approach has been thoughtfully retained, allowing visitors to engage with the sculptures in a manner that respects both their material vulnerability and their historical exhibition contexts. The result is an immersive experience that highlights the quiet yet powerful presence of Fisher’s work, reaffirming his legacy within contemporary sculpture.