Alexandra Gardner

Alexandra (or Sandie as she prefers) Gardner was born in 1945 and brought up in Glasgow. From the age of 5, she displayed an extraordinary aptitude for drawing and painting which ultimately led her to studying at the Glasgow School of Art from 1963 to 1967.

Working closely under the tutelage of many of the Glasgow greats, including Head of School, David Donaldson (appointed Painter and Limner to Her Majesty the Queen in Scotland), as soon as Sandie graduated, she was offered an immediate teaching and lecturing post within the school where she remained for 21 years.

Throughout her teaching career, Sandie painted for exhibitions principally in a number of prestigious galleries in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow and had many widely acclaimed Solo Exhibitions. Sandie retired from teaching in 1988 to become a full-time professional artist and is recognised as one of Scotland's most accomplished painters.

With her work hugely sought after by galleries and collectors alike, Sandie’s paintings can be found in many important corporate, private and public collections worldwide.

David Donaldson, when commenting on an exhibition of Sandie’s work in 1994, said “I first knew this painter as a young student, but I was unaware of the intense struggle she endured to become the painter now before me”. Also saying that Sandie “presents this exhibition with distinction, maturity, human kindness and complete understanding of her strength”

Themes that continue to this day.