‘Borrowed Ground’
A transatlantic exchange in collage and paint
A transatlantic exchange in collage and paint
Introducing three brand new collaborative paintings by Stewart Swan (Scotland) and Ross Severson (USA). https://www.ross-severson.com/about
This project began with admiration. We’d been following each other’s work from opposite sides of the Atlantic, drawn to similar sensibilities — aged paper, quiet patina, sensitivity to surface and space. There was a shared interest in materials that already hold history.
Ross’s collages were made first, built from vintage paper and found ephemera. Rather than seeing them as finished works, we decided to treat them as a starting point — something already in motion.
The collages were sent from the US to Scotland and became both image and terrain. Instead of covering what was there, the approach was to enter into it. Edges became horizons, torn paper suggested movement, faded marks turned into atmosphere.
The characters emerged in conversation with these surfaces — sometimes blending into them, sometimes pushing against them or carrying them. Areas of the original collage were left to interact directly with the figures, allowing tension, play and instinct to guide the process.
What we’ve created are shared spaces — layered, responsive and slightly unpredictable. The process left room for intuition and the occasional mischief, allowing unexpected relationships and small moments of humour to surface as the works took shape.
Available to purchase via my website shop on Friday March 6th 2026 https://www.stewartswan.com/shop.html#/
This project began with admiration. We’d been following each other’s work from opposite sides of the Atlantic, drawn to similar sensibilities — aged paper, quiet patina, sensitivity to surface and space. There was a shared interest in materials that already hold history.
Ross’s collages were made first, built from vintage paper and found ephemera. Rather than seeing them as finished works, we decided to treat them as a starting point — something already in motion.
The collages were sent from the US to Scotland and became both image and terrain. Instead of covering what was there, the approach was to enter into it. Edges became horizons, torn paper suggested movement, faded marks turned into atmosphere.
The characters emerged in conversation with these surfaces — sometimes blending into them, sometimes pushing against them or carrying them. Areas of the original collage were left to interact directly with the figures, allowing tension, play and instinct to guide the process.
What we’ve created are shared spaces — layered, responsive and slightly unpredictable. The process left room for intuition and the occasional mischief, allowing unexpected relationships and small moments of humour to surface as the works took shape.
Available to purchase via my website shop on Friday March 6th 2026 https://www.stewartswan.com/shop.html#/
‘Out of the Woods’
A huge thank you to everyone who has visited my exhibition ‘Out of the Woods’ at Rhodes Contemporary Art — whether you came to the preview, dropped in quietly, sent me a message, shared the work, or spent time engaging with the paintings. It really does mean a lot.
I’ve series grew from an interest in woodland animals and the folklore that surrounds them. Each portrait takes its name from myth — Yutu, Reynard, Ratatoskr and others — but rather than retelling those stories directly, I’ve focused on presence and expression. The figures meet us face to face, carrying small traces of character: watchfulness, cunning, endurance, curiosity.
If you haven’t seen it yet, there’s still time. And thank you again for all the support — it never goes unnoticed
A huge thank you to everyone who has visited my exhibition ‘Out of the Woods’ at Rhodes Contemporary Art — whether you came to the preview, dropped in quietly, sent me a message, shared the work, or spent time engaging with the paintings. It really does mean a lot.
I’ve series grew from an interest in woodland animals and the folklore that surrounds them. Each portrait takes its name from myth — Yutu, Reynard, Ratatoskr and others — but rather than retelling those stories directly, I’ve focused on presence and expression. The figures meet us face to face, carrying small traces of character: watchfulness, cunning, endurance, curiosity.
If you haven’t seen it yet, there’s still time. And thank you again for all the support — it never goes unnoticed
Upcoming Project Room Solo Exhibition Coming February 2026 at Rhodes Contemporary Art
‘Out of the Woods’
Out of the Woods presents a series of six anthropomorphic portraits inspired by woodland animals and the folklore that surrounds them. Drawing from myth and storytelling traditions across different cultures, each figure takes its name from a specific folk or mythic source — from Yutu, the Moon Rabbit of East Asian legend, to Reynard the clever fox of medieval Europe, and Ratatoskr, the restless messenger of Norse myth.
Rather than illustrating these stories directly, the works focus on character and presence. The animals are shown in stillness, meeting the viewer head-on, their expressions carrying subtle traces of the roles and qualities associated with them: attentiveness, cunning, endurance, grace, curiosity, and quiet independence.
The bold use of colour and simplified composition frames each figure as a kind of emblem, allowing humour, restraint, and ambiguity to coexist. Grounded in genuine folklore but filtered through a contemporary lens, Out of the Woods brings together familiar creatures and distant myths, inviting viewers to encounter them anew — calm, watchful, and just slightly uncanny.
‘Yutu’ (Rabbit)
In East Asian folklore, Yutu is the Moon Rabbit, a gentle figure said to live on the moon preparing the elixir of immortality. Yutu represents compassion, patience, and quiet devotion, embodying strength through humility rather than force.
‘Reynard’ (Fox)
Reynard is the fox of medieval European folklore, known for intelligence, adaptability, and sharp wit. Neither hero nor villain, Reynard survives through cunning, often revealing the contradictions and hypocrisies of the world around him.
‘Bjørn’ (Bear)
Bjørn comes from Old Norse tradition, where the bear was revered as a powerful forest ancestor. Associated with endurance, protection, and deep memory, the bear was once believed to stand close to humanity, bridging the wild and the familiar.
‘Oisín’ (Deer)
In Irish mythology, Oisín’s name means “little deer,” reflecting his deep connection to the natural world. A warrior and poet, he is known for crossing between realms, with the deer long symbolising grace and otherworldly passage.
‘Ratatoskr’ (Squirrel)
Ratatoskr is a messenger in Norse mythology, carrying words and tensions between distant realms along the world tree. Small yet essential, the squirrel represents movement, connection, and restless energy within a larger system.
‘Taghan’ (Pine Marten)
Taghan is an old Gaelic name for the pine marten, an elusive woodland animal linked to stealth, intelligence, and hidden forest life. Rarely seen, it carries an air of independence and quiet mystery.
Upcoming Project Room Solo Exhibition Coming February 2026 at Rhodes Contemporary Art
‘Out of the Woods’
Out of the Woods presents a series of six anthropomorphic portraits inspired by woodland animals and the folklore that surrounds them. Drawing from myth and storytelling traditions across different cultures, each figure takes its name from a specific folk or mythic source — from Yutu, the Moon Rabbit of East Asian legend, to Reynard the clever fox of medieval Europe, and Ratatoskr, the restless messenger of Norse myth.
Rather than illustrating these stories directly, the works focus on character and presence. The animals are shown in stillness, meeting the viewer head-on, their expressions carrying subtle traces of the roles and qualities associated with them: attentiveness, cunning, endurance, grace, curiosity, and quiet independence.
The bold use of colour and simplified composition frames each figure as a kind of emblem, allowing humour, restraint, and ambiguity to coexist. Grounded in genuine folklore but filtered through a contemporary lens, Out of the Woods brings together familiar creatures and distant myths, inviting viewers to encounter them anew — calm, watchful, and just slightly uncanny.
‘Yutu’ (Rabbit)
In East Asian folklore, Yutu is the Moon Rabbit, a gentle figure said to live on the moon preparing the elixir of immortality. Yutu represents compassion, patience, and quiet devotion, embodying strength through humility rather than force.
‘Reynard’ (Fox)
Reynard is the fox of medieval European folklore, known for intelligence, adaptability, and sharp wit. Neither hero nor villain, Reynard survives through cunning, often revealing the contradictions and hypocrisies of the world around him.
‘Bjørn’ (Bear)
Bjørn comes from Old Norse tradition, where the bear was revered as a powerful forest ancestor. Associated with endurance, protection, and deep memory, the bear was once believed to stand close to humanity, bridging the wild and the familiar.
‘Oisín’ (Deer)
In Irish mythology, Oisín’s name means “little deer,” reflecting his deep connection to the natural world. A warrior and poet, he is known for crossing between realms, with the deer long symbolising grace and otherworldly passage.
‘Ratatoskr’ (Squirrel)
Ratatoskr is a messenger in Norse mythology, carrying words and tensions between distant realms along the world tree. Small yet essential, the squirrel represents movement, connection, and restless energy within a larger system.
‘Taghan’ (Pine Marten)
Taghan is an old Gaelic name for the pine marten, an elusive woodland animal linked to stealth, intelligence, and hidden forest life. Rarely seen, it carries an air of independence and quiet mystery.
Next up!
OUT OF THE WOODS
Coming to Rhodes Contemporary Art in February 2026
OUT OF THE WOODS
Coming to Rhodes Contemporary Art in February 2026
Beautiful Shambles – Thank You
December 02, 2025
The exhibition turned out to be a tremendous success. Friday’s private view was packed, and we welcomed a steady stream of visitors throughout Saturday and Sunday. Thank you to everyone who dropped in, spent time with the work, and chose to take pieces home for their collections.
It was wonderful meeting so many of you and exchanging stories about the city we all care about. Your support truly means a lot to us, and we’re thrilled that this Glasgow-focused project connected with so many people. In fact, the response has been so encouraging that we’re already making plans to bring it back next year.
