Young Stornoway-born artist’s work goes on display in London gallery

Jonathan's favourite picture of the three on display - 'Purple Cat'.

Jonathan MacLeod, now nine years old, was born in Stornoway and lived both in Arnol and the town before the family left the island for Saudi Arabia in 2013 when his father, Murdo MacLeod, accepted a job there.

Jonathan’s grandmother, Anne MacLeod, and his cousins live in Stornoway.

His late grandfather was Donald ‘Dan’ MacLeod, of Grant Square, Stornoway, and previously of Arnol.

Jonathan MacLeod (9) has always been a very keen artist.

Jonathan’s mother, Guljamal Sheripkanova-MacLeod originally comes from Kyrgyzstan, in Central Asia, and served with a United Nations peacekeeping force.

In addition to enjoying art at school, Jonathan attended after-school art tuition in Saudi Arabia.

His landscapes, images of flowers, and pictures of cats and sharks have especially impressed observers. When not drawing or sculpting, Jonathan enjoys stop-motion animation, cycling, swimming and tennis.

His works have gone on display in the Espacio Gallery in London, a leading contemporary art center, curated by the Brazilian artist Carlos de Lins.

Jonathan's painting ‘Rural Landscape’, which portrays a pre-industrial landscape.

The works are ‘Purple Cat’, ‘The Three Cats’, which is partly inspired by Kyrgyz memorial stones, and ‘Rural Landscape’, which portrays a pre-industrial landscape.

Jonathan said: “I like drawing, especially cats. Sharks too. My favourite one of these three is Purple Cat. I do like cats. I find them calming. The purple colour was to make it a bit like a fantasy picture.”

His mother Guljamal added: “I found that arts and crafts were the best solution to engage kids and keep them occupied and entertained.

“He has always been keen on drawing and creating.”

‘The Three Cats’, which is partly inspired by Kyrgyz memorial stones.

His father Murdo, who previously worked with BBC Radio nan Gaidheal and with Scotland on Sunday newspaper, said: “Guljamal constantly encouraged Jonathan to draw and create.

“Jonathan was even drawing pictures in the sand at Garry beach when he was very little.”

Jonathan’s seven-year old sister, Akylai, also enjoys arts, crafts, swimming, tennis and cycling.

She also goes to ballet tuition and has attended ballet classes in Moscow.

He comes from a mixed cultural background: the Western Isles and Kyrgyzstan. His art takes elements from a number of cultures.

Examples of this cultural mix include the ‘balbal’ stones, also known by historians as ‘kurgan stelae’ – and which were erected by victorious warriors as a form of tribute to the valor of fallen foes.

Standing stones are of course a well-known feature of the Lewis landscape.