William Scott – Beauty in Plainness
In 2025 the South West Heritage Trust commissioned a new video for ‘Beauty in Plainness’, a special exhibition from the Tate collection at the Museum of Somerset. This exhibition celebrates the life and work of one of Britain’s most influential 20th-century artists – William Scott.
Scott was a pioneering abstract painter, best known for his distinctive still life and landscape compositions. After settling in Somerset in the 1940s, he taught at the Bath Academy of Art for ten years and became a key figure in the post-war British art scene. In the 1950s, Scott developed a close friendship with American artist Mark Rothko, who visited and stayed with him in Somerset in 1959.
This animated biopic compliments the three large-scale works from this pivotal period in Scott’s career, offering a rare chance to experience his bold, expressive art up close. Shown on a 4K cinema screen the video further explores the artist’s vision and life in Somerset.
Visit the exhibition and experience the abstract works of the British art icon until 7th February 2026 at