Scottish artists have shown work in Venice since Charles Rennie Mackintosh participated in 1899. In more recent years, internationally established artists such as Douglas Gordon, Christine Borland and Roderick Buchanan have participated in exhibitions curated by the overall Biennale curators.
However, surprisingly perhaps, in 2003 Scotland will participate independently for the first time in the Venice Biennale, which will then celebrate its 50th anniversary.
This first national presentation of art from Scotland is driven by the general awareness of Scotland’s exceptional and cosmopolitan art community. There is a depth and quality in the art produced in the country at the moment that cannot possibly be represented within the criteria and confines of a solo presentation. Therefore the curators have decided to invite more than one artist rather than following the traditional ‘pavilion’ model of committee-selection of a single artist.