Fionna has been fortunate enough to exhibit not only in her beloved Scotland but on a much wider international scale:
From London to New York, Paris to Moscow, Brussels and Xania, Crete.

Below are features on two of her most renown exhibitions, with a full list of shows detailed further below:

Energy: North Sea Portraits at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Featuring twenty-four portraits of individuals involved in the North Sea oil industry, the exhibition illustrates the ‘human’ story behind the industry and documents the impact that it has had on individuals and communities.

The Art of Intelligent Ageing in association with the University of Edinburgh
Exploring the essential personality that lies within, even with old age, these portraits find a rare validation of humankind, radiating life-affirming optimism.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    • 2025 – Fionna Carlisle: From Caithness to Crete, The Scottish Arts Club.
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    • 2019 – Festival of Politics, Art of Intelligent Ageing – Scottish Parliament.
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    • 2017 – Portrait of Mr.Colin Easton
    • 2017 – Portrait of John Craxton featured in new publication by Ian Collins ‘Charmed Lives in Greece – Ghika, Craxton, Leigh Fermor’
    • 2017 – First showing at the Kilmorack Gallery, Beauly
    • 2014 – Portraying Ageing, Chaucer Room, British Library, London
    • 2013 – Medical Research Council Centenary Debate, University of Edinburgh
    • 2011 – ‘Energy: North sea Portraits’, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh.
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    • 2009/10 – Edinburgh Science Festival Drawings – Edinburgh University; Sir Michael Atiyah at 80
    • 2008 – ‘Energy: North Sea Potraits’ Total HQ. La Defense Paris, Duff House, Shetland Museum, European Parliament Brussels
    • 2007 – Scottish Arts Club, Portraits & Landscapes
    • 2007 – ‘Energy: North Sea Portraits’ Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Highland Region tour
    • 2006 – ‘Energy: North Sea Portraits’ Scottish National Portrait Gallery
    • 2001 – Archeus Fine Art, London

Collections

    • Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums
    • Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
    • Scottish National Portrait Gallery
    • University Of Edinburgh
    • House of Commons Collection
    • Max Planck Institute of Mathematics, Bonn, Germany
    • 3 I
    • Art in Healthcare, Scotland
    • Chelmsford Arts Gallery
    • Conoco Philips Petroleum
    • Contemporary Arts Society
    • Coopers & Lybrand
    • De Beers
    • Dundee Art Gallery
    • Edinburgh City Arts Centre
    • Edinburgh College Of Art
    • Fettes College Edinburgh
    • Glasgow Museums & Arts Galleries
    • Highland Regional Council
    • I.B.M.
    • Leeds Education Authority
    • McLean Arts Gallery & Museum, Greenock
    • Motherwell District Council
    • Netherland Bank
    • Robert Fleming Holdings Ltd
    • Scottish Arts Council
    • Stirling University
    • Additional Works in many private collections in Britain, Europe, & North & South America

Education & Awards

    • 2022 – Creative Scotland Open Fund award for ‘Women with Form’
    • 2012 – Knowledge Exchange Fellow, University of Edinburgh
    • 2009-2010 – Edinburgh Beltane Artist-in-Residence
    • 2005 – Icon of Scotland, Visual Arts, New York
    • 2003 – Lecture, Edinburgh College of Art Summer School
    • 1999-2003 – Artist in Residence, Caledonian Brewery, Edinburgh
    • 1982 – Scottish Arts Council Bursary, used for travel to China
    • 1979 – Awarded Meyer Oppenheim Prize, Royal Scottish Academy
    • 1976-77 – Andrew Grant post-graduate scholarship, Edinburgh College of Art
    • 1972-76 – Studied at Edinburgh College of Art

Group Exhibitions

2025 – Temptation, Chania, Crete
2024 – The Unforgetting Exhibition, Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburg
2023 – John Craxton: A Greek Soul, Municipal Art Gallery of Chania
2019 – Kilmorack Gallery
2018 – “Artists of Xania Interpret Babel” Xania Municipal Art Gallery – curated by Myrto Kontomitaki, Feb to May.
2015 – New Acquisitions Scottish National Portrait Gallery
2014 – Lothian Birth Cohort Reunion, Edinburgh
2014 – British Academy Debate, Edinburgh
2013 – XaniArt, Greece
2012 – Portrait Exhibition Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh
2012 – Summer Show Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
2010 – Scottish Makars, Highland Region Tour
2010 – ‘Man and Technology’ Olive Oil Press Gallery, Crete, Greece
2010 – ‘Drawn from Xania’ Municipal Gallery, Hermoupoli, Syros, Greece
2009 – Scottish Makars, Scotland House, Brussels
2008 – New Acquisitions, National Galleries, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2006 – Channel 4 Political Awards, London
2005 – Scotsman Portraits, Scottish National Portrait Gallery
2005 – Off Shore Europe Exposition, Total E&P UK PLC, Aberdeen
2004 – Singer Friedlander, Mall Gallery, London
2004 – Scottish Gallery Summer Show
2004 – Modern Women, Scottish National Portrait Gallery
2003 – Private A84 Showing, Portrait of Sylvia Stevenson, Tate Britain / Dean Gallery, Edinburgh
2003 – Scottish Gallery Summer Show
2002 – Summer Show, Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh
2002 – Summer Show, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
2002 – End of the Pier Show, Crovie & Duff House, Banff
2002 – Artists of Xania, Crete, Greece
2002 – Adapt, Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow
2001 – Group Exhibition, Archeus Fine Art, London
2001 – Gallery Artists, Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh
2000 – The Scottish Gallery, TSB, Edinburgh
2000 – “Expressions Scottish Art 1976- 89”, Aberdeen Art Gallery, McManus Galleries, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee
2000 – “Art 00”, Business Design Centre, Islington, London, with The Scottish Gallery
1999 – Highland Open
1999 – “Art 99”, Business Design Centre, Islington, London, with The Scottish Gallery
1998 – Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh</li
1998 – Provost’s Prize Exhibition, Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow
1998 – “Art 98”, Business Design Centre, Islington, London, with The Scottish Gallery
1997 – Glasgow Art Fair, with The Scottish Gallery
1997 – “Art 97”, Business Design Centre, Islington, London, with The Scottish Gallery
1996 – “Art 96”, Business Design Centre, Islington, London, with The Scottish Gallery
1995 – “The Beltane Spirit”, Highland Council touring exhibition to Wick, Thurso, Kingussie & London
1994 – The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh
1994 – “The Colourist Legacy”, Edinburgh City Arts Centre
1994 – “Students Past & Present”, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh
1993 – “In Other Lands”, Highland Regional Council, including Collins Gallery, Glasgow & Dundee Art Gallery & Museum
1992 – “In Other Lands”, three person touring exhibition, Highlands Regional Council, 369 Gallery, Edinburgh
1991 – Moscow International Art Fair
1991 – “New Scottish Colourists”, Kirkaldy Museum & Art Gallery
1991 – “Edinburgh/Moscow”, The Georgian Cultural Centre, Moscow
1990 – “Painting the Forth Bridge”, 369 Gallery, Edinburgh (and touring)
1990 – “New Scottish Colourists”, 369 Gallery, Edinburgh
1989-90 – “Scottish Art since 1900”, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh & the Barbican Gallery, London
1989 – Drawing Exhibition, 369 Gallery, Edinburgh
1989 – Chicago International Art Exposition
1989 – “Contemporary Scottish Painting”, The Palace of Youth, Moscow
1989 – “Coldhouse Soo”, Soo Terminal Building, Chicago
1988 – Tenth Anniversary Exhibition, 369 Gallery, Edinburgh Festival Exhibition
1988 – Chicago International Art Exposition
1988 – “Scottish Art”, Metropole Arts Centre, Folkestone
1988 – “Fruitmarket Open”, Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh
1987-88 – “Contemporary Scottish Landscape”, 369 Gallery show, touring Highland Region
1987 – Festival Exhibition, Warwick Arts Trust, London
1987 – Chicago International Art Exposition
1987 – “Continuing the Tradition: 20th Century Scottish Painting”, 369 Gallery, Edinburgh
1986 – Los Angeles Contemporary Art Fair
1986 – Le Cadre Gallery, Hong Kong
1986 – Chicago International Art Exposition
1986 – “Scottish Painting”, Perth Museum & Art Gallery
1986 – “Contemporary Scottish Landscape”, Chambers Institute, Peebles
1985 – Chicago International Art Exposition
1985 – “Scottish Painting”, Linda Durham Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
1985 – “New Scottish Painting”, Dunfermline, Fife
1985 – “Contemporary Scottish Landscape”, Edinburgh City Arts Centre
1984 – The Caledonian Club, London
1984 – International Contemporary Arts Fair, London
1984 – Dart Gallery, Chicago
1984 – Chicago International Art Exposition
1984 – “What Are Young Scottish Painters Doing?”, 369, Travelling Exhibition
1984 – “The New Wave”, 369 Gallery, Edinburgh Festival Exhibition
1984 – “Scottish Expressionism”, Warwick Arts Trust, London
1984 – “Demarcations”, Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh College of Art
1983 – Seven Scottish Painters, Bruton Gallery, Somerset
1983 – Chicago International Art Exposition
1983 – “The Scottish Expression: 1983”, Freidus/Ordover Gallery, New York
1983 – “Scottish Expressionism”, 369 Gallery, Edinburgh Festival Exhibition
1983 – “Scottish Contemporary Art”, Clare Hall, Cambridge
1983 – “Peintres Contemporains Ecossais”, Galerie Peinture Fraiche, Paris
1983 – “New Directions – British Art”, Puck Building, New York
1983 – “Best of 369”, St Andrews Festival (University of St Andrews)
1982 – Three person show, Watts Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
1982 – “Pictures of Ourselves”, Scottish Arts Council Travelling Exhibition, The Fine Arts Society, Edinburgh & London
1982 – “Five Women Artists”, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
1981 – The Fine Art Society, Edinburgh & Glasgow
1981 – “Scottish Painting”, Watts Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
1981 – “Edinburgh Behind the Facade”, Scottish Arts Council Travelling Exhibition, Holsworthy Gallery, London
1980 – STV Festival Show, Edinburgh
1980 – Midton Gallery, London
1980 – Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh</
1980 – Browse & Darby, London
1978-81 – Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, Edinburgh
1978 – Royal Scottish Academy
1977 – New 57 Group Show, Edinburgh
1976 – Three person show, Saltire Gallery, Edinburgh Festival
1974 – Three person show, Saltire Gallery, Edinburgh
1974 – Pernod Competition, Edinburgh City Arts Centre