Lise McGurn, the Glasgow-based painter known for her riotous, figurative canvases, is set to unveil her first major solo exhibition at Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) this August. The show, which opens on 22 August 2026, brings together over 30 new works that channel the energy of pop culture, nightlife, and the chaos of family life. McGurn, who has become one of Scotland's most distinctive artistic voices, says the exhibition is "a celebration of the mess and the magic of being alive."
A Pop-Infused Palette: Katy Perry and the Soundtrack of the Studio
Central to the exhibition's vibe is McGurn's surprising muse: pop superstar Katy Perry. In an interview with The Guardian, McGurn revealed that Perry's music, particularly the album "Smile," has been a constant presence in her studio. "I listen to Katy Perry on repeat when I'm working," she said. "There's something about the sheer optimism and unapologetic pop-ness that frees me up. It's like painting with a sugar rush."
This influence manifests in bold, acid-bright colors and kinetic compositions that seem to dance across the canvas. Figures, often rendered with loose, expressive brushstrokes, appear mid-motion, their limbs elongated and twisted in ways that defy anatomy but capture a sense of pure physical joy. The paintings are populated with recurring motifs: partygoers, dancers, and half-remembered faces that blur the line between abstraction and representation.
From Dundee to the World: A Homecoming of Sorts
The exhibition, titled "Party in the USA" (a nod to Perry's hit single), marks a homecoming for McGurn, who was born in Dundee in 1981. She left the city as a child but has maintained strong ties to the Scottish art scene. "It feels really special to show here," she told The Guardian. "Dundee has changed so much, but the spirit of the place is still the same. It's gritty, it's warm, and it's full of surprises."
The show includes several large-scale paintings that span entire walls, as well as a series of intimate works on paper. McGurn's process is deliberately fast and intuitive; she often works directly on the canvas without preparatory sketches, allowing the paint to guide her. "I want the viewer to feel like they've walked into a room where a party just happened," she explained. "There's a sense of aftermath, of energy spent, but also of anticipation for the next thing."
Painting in the Age of Distraction: McGurn's Critical Edge
While the work is undeniably joyful, McGurn is keen to stress that it is not devoid of critical intent. She sees her paintings as a response to the relentless pace of contemporary life, particularly the ways in which digital culture fragments our attention. "We're constantly bombarded with images, and I think painting can be a way to slow that down," she said. "My paintings are like a pause button, but they're also a fast-forward. It's contradictory, but that's how it feels to be alive right now."
The exhibition has been praised by critics for its fearless use of color and its ability to capture the zeitgeist. Writing in The Guardian, art critic Adrian Searle described McGurn's work as "a riot of paint that somehow makes sense of the senseless." The show is expected to draw significant crowds, with DCA reporting strong advance ticket sales.
Beyond the Canvas: Events and Community Engagement
To complement the exhibition, DCA has organized a series of events, including a late-night opening with a DJ set inspired by McGurn's playlist, and a family workshop where children can create their own "party paintings." McGurn will also participate in an in-conversation event with curator Eoin Dara, discussing her practice and the role of pop culture in contemporary art.
"Lise's work is a breath of fresh air," said Dara. "It's playful, but it's also deeply serious about the possibilities of painting. We're thrilled to bring her work to Dundee."
The exhibition runs from 22 August to 1 November 2026 at Dundee Contemporary Arts. For McGurn, it represents a culmination of years of experimentation and a bold statement of intent. "I want people to leave the gallery feeling like they've been to the best party of their lives," she said. "And maybe, just maybe, they'll go home and put on some Katy Perry."
