Giant inflatable lobster to feature as part of art exhibition in Fife town

Scottish artist, and St Andrews alumnus, Colbert will bring his hyper-pop universe to Scotland’s oldest university, with a giant inflatable lobster in St Salvator’s Quadrangle; three bronze lobsters in the university library; and a reinterpretation of Jacques-Louis David’s masterpiece ‘The Death of Marat’ as the centerpiece to his headline exhibition.

Like Colbert, the infamous subject of this painting Jean Paul Marat also received a degree from the university in 1775 and Colbert felt inspired by this important art historical connection.

Dr Catherine Eagleton, director of museums at the university, said: “We are excited about this exhibition, which places neo-pop surrealism at the heart of Scotland’s first university.

“For us, this is more than an exhibition, but also a statement of intent that the new Wardlaw Museum will be inspired by the 600-year history of Scotland’s first university, but also surprising, creative and playful, challenging us all to see what the university does in new ways.”

The exhibition explores Colbert’s world, his creativity, and his journey as an artist. It was as a philosophy student at the University of St Andrews that Colbert first became interested in thinking about perception and reality. This interest has informed his view of art history, the dialogue between the past and the present, and how education and learning can push realities and possibilities.

He said: “Having the opportunity to read philosophy really informed my view of the world, I always loved the idea that If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

The exhibition will run from April 4 to May 17.