Moray School of Art Student shortlisted for national prize

Philip MacEachan, 62, is one of nine artists shortlisted for the Jolomo Bank of Scotland Awards 2013, and could now be in line to win the £25,000 top prize. Philip, who lives in Tore in Ross-shire, took early retirement from his job as retail design manager with HSBC in 2007. Two years later, he enrolled for an honours degree in Fine Art at Moray College, Elgin, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, where he is now in his final year. He was inspired to make work about the Highland Clearances after researching his family history. He said: "My passion has always been for art and design, and in particular contemporary Scottish art. Taking early retirement gave me the opportunity to return to university and rekindle my lifelong love of art. "My ancestors were cleared from Arisaig and Kildonan. I am intrigued by our nation's struggled through the dark years of the Clearances. The causes, experience and aftermath of the Clearances provide an emotive starting point for my work." The Jolomo Bank of Scotland Awards are aimed at emerging artists painting the Scottish landscape. There is total prize money of £35,000, and the winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum in June.