Martin S. Laird

Artist | film-maker | animator

Category: Exhibitions & Events

  • Summer 2026 at Ship of Fools gallery

    Flowers bloom at Ship of Fools gallery Summer show For the duration of Summer 2026 I have four flower paintings on show in the Ship of Fools gallery Summer exhibition, alongside some beautiful work by other artists from Orkney and further afield. I’m very grateful to Maiwenn and her team for once again allowing me…

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    Martin Laird
    Poster advertisement for the Ship of Fools gallery Summer exhibition. 21 Bridge Street, Kirkwall, Orkney. Open Wedesday to Saturday throughout the Summer. Image shows an airbrushed acrylic painting of three daffodils by Orcadian artist Martin S. Laird.

  • Portraits for Peace

    Fair Saturday 2025 – Portraits for Peace For the 2025 Fair Saturday event at Northlight gallery in Stromness I will be contributing to a joint exhibition called Portraits For Peace. This event takes place in association with The Orkney News and has received funding from The Arts and Humanities Council via the University of Glasgow.…

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    Martin Laird
    Poster for the 2025 Fair Saturday exhibition at Northlight Gallery in Stromness in association with the Orkney News, Glasgow University and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The poster shows a blank canvas on an easel which has been desaturated and inverted so that the image is largely white. Exhibition runs 1am-pm daily except Sundays and Mondays from 29th November 2025. Featuring work by Carolyn Dixon, Robinson RR, Susy Shearer and Bryce Wilson

  • St Magnus International Festival 2025

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    It was my great pleasure to act as official photographer for the 2025 St Magnus International Festival. Here you can see a selection of my favourite pictures from the 18 performances I attended. Performances took places throughout Orkney, but the primary concert venue was of course the magnificent setting of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.…

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    Martin Laird
    Sandstone columns in St Magnus Cathedral illuminated by sunlight through stained glass. Dark blue and purple lit Cathedral with bright streaks of colour.

  • Meet the artist at the Ship of Fools

    Printmaking at the Ship of Fools Summer exhibition I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to show some of my recent printmaking work alongside many other talented artists from Orkney and elsewhere at the 2025 Summer exhibition at the Ship of Fools gallery on Bridge Street in Kirkwall. The exhibition preview is on…

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    Martin Laird
    Invitation to the preview opening of the Ship of Fools Summer 2025 exhibition, featuring work by Martin Laird and other artists associated with Orkney. Friday 9th of May 2025, 5pm-7pm, Ship of Fools Gallery, Bridge Street, Kirkwall, Orkney.

  • Ship of Fools Christmas Show

    I am honoured to be among the artists featured at the 2024 Christmas Show at the Ship of Fools gallery on Bridge Street in Kirkwall. Some of my more lighthearted cartoons are on show (and for sale), alongside a variety of work by artists from Orkney and further afield. The show also features work by…

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    Martin Laird
    Photo showing the exterior of Ship of Fools gallery on Bridge Street in Kirkwall, Orkney. The is a free-standing sign advertising the Christmas show with a list of featured artists.

  • Kindness

    Fair Saturday Scotland 2024: Kindness For Fair Saturday 2024, Northlight gallery, The Orkney News and the Fair Saturday Foundation are once again teaming up to host an open exhibition on the theme of Kindness. All artists whether young or old, professional or amateur, are invited to bring small cards and artwork to the gallery by…

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    Martin Laird
    Poster for the 2024 Fair Saturday Scotland open exhibition running from 28th to 30th November at Northlight gallery in Stromness. Poster shows artwork made from torn paper, courtesy of Orkney Rape and Sexual Assault Service.