Andy Cumming

Andy Cumming is a Scottish artist based in East Lothian whose practice explores human creativity, existentialism and our instinct to construct meaning through images.

An early influence was the development of children’s artistic expression — the way instinctive marks gradually become forms, symbols and visual languages. This developed into a wider fascination with image-making as a fundamental human impulse: our need to find patterns, construct meaning and give form to experiences that can be difficult to articulate.

Over the years these interests have taken Cumming through mythology, psychology, alternative histories and internet conspiracy culture. His four-year project Adam Linklater: Mythopoeia (2014–18), presented as part of Edinburgh Art Festival, explored mythmaking, constructed identity and belief through the creation of a fictional occult artist whose world existed through artworks, photography, film, performance and social media.

His current practice brings these questions back to painting and the physical act of making. Inspired by nature and the legacy of Impressionism, his mixed-media paintings move between landscape and abstraction, suggesting water, vegetation, reflected light and atmosphere without resolving into...

MA Fine Art Printmaking 2009-2011
Studied at Edinburgh’s College of Art (Edinburgh University) in Edinburgh.

BA (Hons) Fine Art Printmaking 2005-2009
Studied at Gray’s School of Art (Robert Gordon’s University) in Aberdeen.

Foundation Degree in Art and Design 2004-2005

Solo and Collaborative Shows

2018 'Adam Linklater: Mythopoeia Edinburgh Art Festival Exhibition.

2016 'Maritime Lane Collective' inaugural Exhibition, Leith Edinburgh;

2015 'Secret Arcade' Brunswick Hotel, Glasgow.

2013 ‘Reality And The Prescribed Alternative‘ Joint exhibition with Dr Dulux, at the ‘Old Ambulance Depot’ Edinburgh.

2012 ‘Gold Sheep,’ Joint exhibition with Lucie Hrnickova, at ‘The Old Ambulance Depot’,, Edinburgh.

2010 ‘Air’, Edinburgh College of Art, Studio CO2, Edinburgh

2009 ‘Trance Bender’, Edinburgh College of Art, Project Space, Edinburgh

2009 ‘Degree show’, Gray’s School of Art (Robert Gordon University), Aberdeen

2007 ‘Summer Festival Show’ ‘Favorit’, Edinburgh


Selected Group Exhibitions

2015 ‘Saatchi, Street Art Collection’ Curated by Katherine Henning (Saatchi Curator) Featured on Saatchi home page 2015.

2015 ‘Spring Exhibition 7th Feb till 22nd March’ at La Galerie 1940. Edinburgh

2013 ‘Edinburgh Printmakers at ROSL’‘ at the Royal Overseas League Princess St. Edinburgh.

2013 ‘Edinburgh Printmakers Short Film Award’ Edinburgh Printmakers Website.

2012 ‘RSA Open‘ at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.

2012 ‘Mixed...