Artist Talk | Café de Paris

Thursday 17 April, 12 noon

A love letter to Paris - for those who might like to hear the story of the painting 'Café de Paris' by Peter Graham and how connecting with Paris has been a vital part of Peter's life as a painter.

Peter first visited Paris when studying at the Glasgow School of Art in 1976. It made a huge impression with its extraordinary mix of artistic culture, community spirit and joie de vivre, not to mention Art Nouveau architecture, fashion and style. There followed regular painting trips where becoming a street painter for a couple of weeks each year made him feel he belonged. 

One subject in particular caught his imagination - The Jardin des Tuileries - with its shaded garden cafes, pyramid parasols, a fresh breeze in the trees and a blaze of morning sun - all delighting the eye and lifting the spirits. Here he found a dazzling array of contrasts, colours and movement that he could take back to his Glasgow studio and explore in depth.

About the Artist

Peter Graham is one of Britain’s foremost Modern Colourists and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. His work is often related to the modern Scottish school of painters, but Peter has a flamboyant style which is unique – detailed brushwork combined with looser fluid strokes creating vibrant contrasts of pure colour, line, and tone.

'Café de Paris' (above) is appearing in the gallery's special exhibition of award-winning artists, Beyond the Prize, between 16 and 26 April 2025.