A Rare Glimpse into William Scott's Artistic Process: His West Country Connection
The Tate has loaned three large-scale paintings by the influential UK abstract artist William Scott to Somerset's Museum of Somerset, offering a rare opportunity for visitors to see his works up close. The paintings, all created in the late 1950s at the height of Scott's career, reflect his fascination with the ordinariness of everyday life.
Among the loaned pieces is Ochre Still Life, featuring humble pots and pans, as well as Black Painting, an enigmatic abstract representation of a stone wall. These works embody Scott's assertion that "I find beauty in plainness," a philosophy that has come to define his artistic style.
Scott's connection to Somerset runs deeper than just the loaned paintings. The artist had previously lived and worked in the county, drawing inspiration from its rolling countryside. However, it was during a pivotal visit by American artist Mark Rothko in 1959 that Scott's art took on new dimensions.
Rothko, renowned for his bold and emotive abstract works, met Scott at his home in Somerset, sparking an exchange of ideas about murals and artistic expression. The two artists discussed the possibilities of large-scale public installations, with Scott working on a mural for a hospital in Northern Ireland and Rothko collaborating on a restaurant project in New York.
One of the most striking aspects of their collaboration is the reaction to Rothko's work at Altnagelvin area hospital in Derry. His abstract piece sparked an eerie silence among the audience, a testament to the powerful impact his art had on those who experienced it.
The loaned paintings will be on display as part of the Beauty in Plainness – William Scott in Somerset exhibition, which runs from November 15, 2026, to February 7, 2026. Tim Martin, the curator behind the exhibition, has promised a fascinating glimpse into Scott's life and work, with a preview talk scheduled for November 14, 2026.
This unique opportunity brings together two artistic giants, one rooted in the West Country and the other an American icon of abstract expressionism. As visitors explore Scott's paintings, they will also discover the rich cultural context that shaped his art, including his collaborations with Rothko and his own vision of "beauty in plainness."
The Tate has loaned three large-scale paintings by the influential UK abstract artist William Scott to Somerset's Museum of Somerset, offering a rare opportunity for visitors to see his works up close. The paintings, all created in the late 1950s at the height of Scott's career, reflect his fascination with the ordinariness of everyday life.
Among the loaned pieces is Ochre Still Life, featuring humble pots and pans, as well as Black Painting, an enigmatic abstract representation of a stone wall. These works embody Scott's assertion that "I find beauty in plainness," a philosophy that has come to define his artistic style.
Scott's connection to Somerset runs deeper than just the loaned paintings. The artist had previously lived and worked in the county, drawing inspiration from its rolling countryside. However, it was during a pivotal visit by American artist Mark Rothko in 1959 that Scott's art took on new dimensions.
Rothko, renowned for his bold and emotive abstract works, met Scott at his home in Somerset, sparking an exchange of ideas about murals and artistic expression. The two artists discussed the possibilities of large-scale public installations, with Scott working on a mural for a hospital in Northern Ireland and Rothko collaborating on a restaurant project in New York.
One of the most striking aspects of their collaboration is the reaction to Rothko's work at Altnagelvin area hospital in Derry. His abstract piece sparked an eerie silence among the audience, a testament to the powerful impact his art had on those who experienced it.
The loaned paintings will be on display as part of the Beauty in Plainness – William Scott in Somerset exhibition, which runs from November 15, 2026, to February 7, 2026. Tim Martin, the curator behind the exhibition, has promised a fascinating glimpse into Scott's life and work, with a preview talk scheduled for November 14, 2026.
This unique opportunity brings together two artistic giants, one rooted in the West Country and the other an American icon of abstract expressionism. As visitors explore Scott's paintings, they will also discover the rich cultural context that shaped his art, including his collaborations with Rothko and his own vision of "beauty in plainness."
I'm not sure why we need to separate our appreciation for modern art from our connection to the place it came from. This loan to Somerset's Museum of Somerset is a great way to bring William Scott's works back home, reminding us that inspiration can be found in the everyday moments and landscapes we take for granted.
! i mean im all about appreciation for the everyday life & stuff but theres somethin abt lookin at these abstract pieces dat makes me go WOW 
. i feel like theyre not just paintings, theyre like portals 2 another world, u no? 
& the story b4 them is even more fascinating, its like Scott had this vision of "beauty in plainness" & he chased it 2 death 
(in a good way lol). & can u imagine bein there at Altnagelvin hospital when Rothko showed up w/ his art? 
The Tate lending 3 of William Scott's large-scale paintings to Museum of Somerset is like a breath of fresh air, you know? 
I'm all about discovering new artists and getting up close and personal with their work. Scott's connection to the West Country is so cool - it's like you can feel the rolling hills and countryside vibes in his art. The fact that he had an exchange with Mark Rothko is pure genius, too! 
Their collaboration sounds like a match made in heaven. And can we talk about how beautiful (no pun intended) "Ochre Still Life" looks? 
. I love how his art is all about finding beauty in everyday life - it's so refreshing to see someone celebrating the ordinary instead of just going for bold statements. And can you imagine being in a room with Mark Rothko's work, feeling that eerie silence? Mind blown 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to stare at a wall with just ovals and rectangles, yet somehow it feels so... comforting 
. The way he used ordinary objects as subjects just shows how much talent he had for seeing the world in a different way 
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. I can imagine him walking through those rolling hills and fields, taking it all in, and thinking "this is where my inspiration comes from" 
. And then that meeting with Rothko... wow! What a fascinating collaboration - two artists, different styles, but somehow they worked together like magic 
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. I need to see these works up close and learn more about Scott's artistic process - it sounds fascinating!
Can't wait to see the paintings up close and personal... November 15 can't come soon enough! 
but someone makes it into art, BAM! 
Rothko and Scott, two artistic giants with a shared vision... or was it just a fancy way to say "we like big abstract things"?