Arthur Watson wins prestigious post at RSA

Arthur Watson, senior lecturer in the school of Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College, has been elected secretary of the Royal Scottish Academy.

A member of the RSA for more than 20 years, the highly respected sculptor and printmaker follows in the footsteps of some of Scotland's most famous artists including David Octavius Hill, the father of Scottish photography and landscape painter Sir William McTaggart.

"I was quite sanguine about the whole thing to begin with," he admitted. "I knew I was being proposed and I've chaired a couple of committees for a number of years so I knew what was involved. Then the day after the election I realised who some of my predecessors were. That was a bit daunting.

"The key I think is if the Secretary, the Treasurer and the President are all working in harmony then the job becomes a pleasure. In that respect I'm very lucky as I've known Bill Scott, who was elected President, for about 25 years and I was at school with Ian Howard who is the treasurer. We also worked together here when he was Dean at Duncan of Jordanstone. So we all know each other very well."

Together with Bill Scott and Ian Howard, Arthur will be responsible for the day to day running of the Academy and as secretary is charged with organising RSA meetings and overseeing the annual exhibitions including the annual student show which is the largest in the UK.

His election comes at a time of change for the Academy which has opened its doors to a wider range or artists.

"It used to that you were categorised as painter, sculptor or architect but art has changed so much over the past few years and it denied entry to lots of artists," said Arthur, who trained at Gray's School of Art In Aberdeen.

"We now have a new Royal Charter which allows us to open up the membership so now we can have photographers, installation artists and artists working through film, sound and performance which much better reflects art today. "

Arthus began his career in Aberdeen where he founded Peacock Printmakers and remained as artistic director until 1995. That same year, after teaching part-time in printmaking and painting at Duncan of Jordanstone College, he was appointed Director of the Master of Fine Art programme. He has also been Head of Graduate Studies and is now Senior Lecturer. His work has been exhibited across the world including Europe, America and Australia.