The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)

Artist and lecturer dies aged 79

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Arenowned north-east artist commission­ed to create portraits of Aberdeen’s lord provosts has died at the age of 79.

Tributes have flooded in for Sandy Fraser, who was highly regarded both at Gray’s School of Art – where he lectured for many years – and in the wider cultural community.

Mr Fraser had battled Parkinson’s for 10 years, with the condition cruelly robbing him of the ability to use a paint brush.

Mr Fraser, from Muchalls, near Stonehaven, experiment­ed with a range of styles, resulting in his works being in galleries. They also adorn the walls of the Aberdeen Town House, after he was convinced by a former director of the art gallery to turn his hand to portraits.

Mr Fraser was initially unconvince­d that was where his talents lay, but he later produced striking works of provosts Robert Robertson (1988-92), and James Wyness (1992-96), the latter of whom welcomed Mikhail Gorbachev to the city.

Born in 1940, the first 11 years of Mr Fraser’s life were spent in a tenement flat in Aberdeen’s Ashvale Place. He is survived by his wife, Helen.

Lord Provost Barney Crockett said: “It’s sad news, but Sandy has left a wonderful legacy behind him and his work will live on permanentl­y.

“He really brought out the characters of the people he painted and it’s a great Aberdeen story how he moved from the tenement to the Town House without changing a bit.”

Libby Curtis, head of Gray’s School of Art, said: “Sandy was an important painter and passionate teacher.

“We are immensely proud that he was both a graduate and a deeply admired member of staff at Gray’s School. His work is represente­d in many public and private collection­s, and many of his works are in our own art and heritage collection at RGU.

“He was a powerful character with a strength of vision and commitment to painting. A man of high standards, high expectatio­ns and high ambitions for his students, Sandy was deeply respected by staff and students alike for his sound counsel and his ability to challenge and bring forth excellence.

“He was a master painter, a remarkable teacher, and an individual who made a difference to many.”

 ??  ?? Sandy Fraser lectured at Gray’s School of Art and was highly regarded across the north-east
Sandy Fraser lectured at Gray’s School of Art and was highly regarded across the north-east

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