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Twenty-Five is a celebration. A celebration of the past quarter century with each year represented by the work of an artist who made an exhibition at our gallery in that year. 25 works by 25 artists to celebrate our 25th birthday, and then a few more by others who have played a part in our programme since we first opened our doors in 1998, because… well, because we can, and because it seems a shame not to include others who are close to our hearts.

1998 was a good year in Scotland. It was the last time the Scottish football team made it to the world cup finals, opening the tournament with a game against Brazil which we lost, obviously, but without disgrace. Back home, the Scotland Act was passed following a positive vote for devolution the previous year, and alongside the parliament that was being built in Edinburgh came a new confidence and internationalism. It seemed like a promising moment to open a gallery that would aim to represent Scottish artists internationally and bring international artists to Scotland.

25 years later there have been ups and downs, fabulous moments, and hideous ones, but we’re still here and we’re grateful to so many people who have joined us on the journey. Collectors of course, some of whom have become close friends, colleagues in the industry and closest to home, the gallery team. They are, and always have been down the years, a diverse and wonderful group of human beings with whom we are lucky to spend our days. Mostly though, we’re grateful to the artists with whom we’ve been lucky enough to work. Many of them have now been in our lives for a quarter of a century. And without them, quite obviously, there would be nothing to celebrate and no story to tell.