In the early part of her career, Bet Low’s (1924-2007) work captured city scenes and people, before she turned her attention to landscape painting. Low then developed a uniquely figurative style, visually reducing landscape into key elements. Running concurrent with her artistic practice, Low’s early working experience at Glasgow Unity Theatre and involvement in artist-led groups led to her co-founding the New Charing Cross Gallery (1963-8), Glasgow with John Taylor (born 1936). Although she was an independent artist actively working outside any institutional context, Low did not consider herself ‘unknown’. Following Low’s own understanding of her public profile, this article considers the visibility of her practice, arguing that the idea of an ‘unknown’ woman artist may be a projection in relation to Low’s career in particular, concluding with a consideration of her critical legacy.

This article is part of 'Women Painting: Scottish Art 1940-1980', an issue co-edited by Marianne Greated and Susannah Thompson.