Willie Rodger RSA 1930-2018

Willie Rodger RSA is one of the most significant artist-printmakers in recent Scottish art history.

Born in Kirkintilloch, Rodger decided at the age of five that he would become an artist, after his best friend’s drawing of a canal puffer was selected for hanging on the classroom wall and his was not. The gentle support and encouragement of Bob Allison, Rodger’s Art Master at Lenzie Academy, nurtured his talent and successfully prepared him to enter Glasgow School of Art in 1948.

His contribution to printmaking was recognised with his election to the RSA as an Associate in 1989. This election was notable, as Rodger was the first person elected to the new category of Associate Printmaker. The formation of this category was championed by Philip Reeves in the 1970s, as before this, printmakers could only be elected as Associate Engravers. By their designation, such members were stuck forever at Associate level as engravers could never become full Academicians. Rodger would go on to become a full Academician in 2005.

Rodger was elected to the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts in 1994, and the University of Stirling awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in 1999.