In a rare outing from his rural sanctuary, three colossal works by William Scott, a pioneering British abstract artist, are to be unveiled in the West Country for the first time. The monumental paintings, crafted during the height of Scott's artistic prowess in the late 1950s, are set to captivate audiences at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton.
Scott's distinctive style, characterized by his emphasis on finding beauty in everyday scenes and objects, is palpable in each of these large-scale works. A still life featuring humble pots and pans – 'Ochre Still Life' – stands alongside an abstract interpretation of a dry-stone wall, 'Black Painting', which showcases the artist's innovative approach to capturing the essence of rural landscapes.
The exhibition, titled 'Beauty in Plainness – William Scott in Somerset', not only highlights Scott's remarkable artistic journey but also delves into his intriguing encounter with American artistic icon Mark Rothko. In 1959, Rothko visited Scott's home in the West Country, where they engaged in lively discussions about murals and art.
One of the most fascinating aspects of their relationship is how it influenced each artist's work. Scott was commissioned to create a large mural for the entrance hall of Altnagelvin area hospital in Derry, Northern Ireland. The unveiling sparked an unsettling silence among the audience, underscoring the unconventional nature of the piece.
Meanwhile, Rothko was working on murals for a restaurant in New York's Seagram Building at the time. Feeling that the exclusive environment was unsuitable for his art, he eventually withdrew from the commission and donated nine canvases to the Tate.
The 'Beauty in Plainness' exhibition is set to run until February 7, 2026, providing an ideal opportunity for visitors to explore Scott's remarkable work and gain insight into his unique artistic philosophy.
Scott's distinctive style, characterized by his emphasis on finding beauty in everyday scenes and objects, is palpable in each of these large-scale works. A still life featuring humble pots and pans – 'Ochre Still Life' – stands alongside an abstract interpretation of a dry-stone wall, 'Black Painting', which showcases the artist's innovative approach to capturing the essence of rural landscapes.
The exhibition, titled 'Beauty in Plainness – William Scott in Somerset', not only highlights Scott's remarkable artistic journey but also delves into his intriguing encounter with American artistic icon Mark Rothko. In 1959, Rothko visited Scott's home in the West Country, where they engaged in lively discussions about murals and art.
One of the most fascinating aspects of their relationship is how it influenced each artist's work. Scott was commissioned to create a large mural for the entrance hall of Altnagelvin area hospital in Derry, Northern Ireland. The unveiling sparked an unsettling silence among the audience, underscoring the unconventional nature of the piece.
Meanwhile, Rothko was working on murals for a restaurant in New York's Seagram Building at the time. Feeling that the exclusive environment was unsuitable for his art, he eventually withdrew from the commission and donated nine canvases to the Tate.
The 'Beauty in Plainness' exhibition is set to run until February 7, 2026, providing an ideal opportunity for visitors to explore Scott's remarkable work and gain insight into his unique artistic philosophy.
]
. Who knew art could be so... ordinary? [Image of a mundane household object with a 'magnificent' filter 
]
Three massive works by William Scott, a total game-changer in the art world, are finally going to be showcased in Somerset, England! It's like, the ultimate nostalgic trip for me - who wouldn't want to see these iconic paintings that embody the essence of rural Britain? I mean, 'Ochre Still Life' is already giving me some serious feelings... it's like Scott captured the simplicity and beauty in everyday life, you know?
It's crazy to think that their conversation influenced each other's work - I mean, Scott created this epic mural for a hospital, while Rothko had to bail on his Seagram Building commission. Talk about an interesting artistic dynamic!
. These massive paintings by William Scott are like, whoa... I mean, I can see why they're from the 50s, they're still kinda... there 
I'm gonna check this out if only to see if it's as boring as the last art show I went to 
.
. and then there's rothko who was like a spiritual brother or something their art is like this intense emotional space that's hard to put into words but you feel it, you know? so when scott and rothko met its not just about two artists talking they were both on this journey of discovery together trying to figure out what art could do 
. and thats what the show is really about – how we can find meaning in our lives through creative expression
I mean, William Scott is like a total legend in the art world, right? His style is all about finding beauty in everyday things, which I think is SO relatable. And can you believe he actually met Mark Rothko? That's like, totally cool. I've heard of Rothko before, but I never knew he was all about murals and stuff. This exhibit is gonna be epic! 
And can you even imagine having to donate all your canvases because the environment wasn't right for them? 
.
Either way, I think we should be looking at the bigger picture – what's driving this initiative, really?
. Mark Rothko and William Scott's connection is interesting, but let's not forget that art can be used as a tool for propaganda just as easily as it can inspire thought-provoking conversations 
.
. I'm super intrigued to see how their conversations influenced each other's work. i've seen pictures of Rothko's murals before but never saw Scott's. can't wait to check it out when it opens 
.
The way he finds beauty in everyday scenes is literally what I'm all about – it's like, we don't need fancy or dramatic to make something beautiful, right? 
. Anyway, it's cool to think about how he met Mark Rothko, that American artist dude 
. Apparently, their talks about murals and art kinda changed each other's work vibes 
! I mean, the guy was a total trailblazer in the abstract art scene back in the 50s. His style is all about finding beauty in the everyday, which I think is really inspiring. And the fact that he had this crazy-cool conversation with Mark Rothko? Forget about it! 
.
. never knew about the mural thing at the hospital, that's some dark stuff