A TOP Scottish artist who has worked in London, Tokyo and Chicago has been installed at Greenock's Beacon Arts Centre as its first-ever guest curator.

Glasgow-based painter and designer Fraser Taylor is on a mission to bring the very best work from local, national and international talent to the heart of Inverclyde.

Fraser is will be tasked with organising and overseeing exhibitions at the waterfront venue.

The Glasgow School of Art graduate will also share his extensive knowledge at a series of classes and workshops which are coming up.

Fraser told the Tele: "It's an exciting project for me as it allows me to connect with the community of artists in Scotland and see what's going on.

"I hope to bring work from local, national and international artists. "I'll also be conducting a series of workshops if anyone is interested.

"The Beacon is an amazing building in an incredible location.

"The view is world-class."

Fraser, who is originally from Kirkintilloch, spent over two decades living and working in London.

He famously led the 'British Art Now' exhibition in Tokyo in the 1990s, hopping between the British and Japanese capitals.

Latterly, he was based in America for what was supposed to be a 12-month spell that ended up lasting 16 years as a visiting artist and professor in the department of fibre and material studies at the internationally-renowned School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

He returned home to Scotland in 2017 and was awarded an honorary professorship from Glasgow School of Art, the University of Glasgow and co-founded The Textile Collective.

The artist is looking forward to adding another string to his bow with his new role at the Beacon.

Fraser said: "I had a curatorial project in Chicago as well, so I have experience in that side of things but this is my first title as a 'curator'."

He also hopes to attract more people from outwith Inverclyde to the Beacon.

Fraser said: "Greenock is only a half-hour train journey from Glasgow.

"It's amazing how many people still don't know about the Beacon. "I want to bring the community from outside Greenock to the town.

"Hopefully it will be a destination and somewhere artists will want to exhibit their work."

*For more about exhibitions at the Beacon, visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk/events/exhibitions or call 723723.