Ron Sandford
Born in Greenock, Ron Sandford studied at Glasgow School of Art in the late 1950s before continuing at the Royal College of Art, London, specialising in graphics. Renowned for his highly detailed architectural drawings, he worked with leading architects, including Norman Foster, on major commissions such as the Broadgate Centre and Thames Millennium Bridge. His career later took him to Hong Kong before he settled in Yell, Shetland, in 2002 with his wife, illustrator Meilo So. There, he immersed himself in documenting the landscape, people, and maritime traditions.
Ron Sandford draws with unwavering discipline – every single day – as he has done for most of his life. It’s not just a routine, but a way of seeing, of being present, of understanding and honouring the world around him. His presence in Shetland – like his practice – is generous, thoughtful, and quietly profound. This is a celebration of a lifetime of drawing, of looking, of giving shape to the spirit of places we might otherwise never have seen.
