Robert Sivell

Biography

Sivell was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, but lived in Kirkcudbright, Galloway for long periods of his adult life.

Although beginning evening studies at the Glasgow School of Art with Fra Newbery in 1908, Sivell was working full-time as an apprentice engineer, and had to abandon the art course in 1910. He lacked the means to attend school full-time. In 1912 he traveled in Canada, and also visited Paris and Florance, but returned to Scotland in 1914 as the country readied for war, using his engineering skills to fit out trawlers and drifters for mine sweeping and other operations. He also worked on the Boom Defense of Comarty. In 1916 he joined the Merchant Navy. When he left the Merchant Navy, Sivell moved to Glasgow where he was able to paint evenings and weekends, sharing a studio with Archibald McGlashon.

Sivell met Isobel Sayers, who was from Kirkcudbright, while she was visiting Glasgow, and they married in 1923. They rented a small bungalow on the River Dee across from Kirkcudbright. They had one child, a daughter, Elspeth Dolores. The couple moved to Kirkcudbright at some point after 1924, building a house and studio at The Hollow, Stell.

Together with James Cowie and Archibald McGlashan he was a founding member of the Glasgow Society of Artists and Sculptors in 1919. Their exhibitions took place at the McLellan Galleries and attracted some controversy over the exclusion of the work of non-members. Sivell traveled to Italy at some point during these years and this trip had a strong influence on his work.

In the 1930s he moved to Aberdeen to teach at Grays School of Art, serving as Head of Drawing and Painting from 1942 to 1954. His pupils included Joe Edwards, Taylor Bremner, Gordon Stewart Cammeron, and Alberto Morrocco, who built up a large collection of Sivell’s work. In 1936 Sivell was elected an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy (ARSA) and in 1943 became a full member (RSA). While at Gray's, he undertook a large scale painting project consisting of larger than life size murals in a lecture and exhibition hall within the Aberdeen University Union on Gallowgate. This project involved three of his pupils (Albert Morrocco, Taylor Bremner, and James Hillocks) in an effort started in 1938 and continued until his retirement in 1953, of course interrupted during World War II. During the war Sivell completed a number of short-term commissions for the War Artists Advisory Committee. Among these commissions was one of a Scottish policeman and two of women who had both been awarded the George Medal. During his years teaching, Sivell continued to paint both commissioned portraits and subjects of his own choosing, and showing in various galleries and exhibitions.

Sivell retired in 1954 and returned to Kirkcudbright where he died in 1958. He and his wife, Isobel (d. 1962), were buried on the slope behind his home and studio, The Hollow, Stell, according to their wishes.

Memorials

The Aberdeen Student’s Union where his murals stand was named Sivell’s Bar in his memory. After Aberdeen University sold the building, the murals were given historic status and protection by the city, but have been inaccessible to the public for many years, with the building and murals listed "at risk" in the Buildings At Risk Register for Scotland. Sivell was sculpted by his friend Benno Schotz, and while photos of this bust exist, its current location and condition are unknown. In 1960 the Arts Council Scottish Committee held a memorial exhibition of his work in Edinburgh.

Public works

At least 120 paintings by Sivell are held in Aberdeen art Museum, a large number having been donated by Alberto Morrocco. Many of his portraits are executed in oil on wood, and have a dark and foreboding tone.