Benno Schotz was a highly influential Estonian-born Scottish sculptor known for his expressive portrait busts and innovative approach to form.
Born in Arensburg (now Kuressaare), Estonia, he emigrated to Glasgow in 1912, where he initially pursued an engineering diploma at the Royal Technical College. While working as a draughtsman in the drawing office of John Brown and Company, a renowned Clydebank shipbuilder, from 1914 to 1923, Schotz attended evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art.
In 1923, he transitioned to a full-time career as a sculptor, quickly establishing himself as a leading figure in Scottish art. His work often reflected a deep sensitivity to character and emotion, particularly in his portraiture, which captured the likenesses of many prominent figures of the time. Schotz's contributions to Scottish sculpture were widely recognised, and in 1937 he was elected a full member of the Royal Scottish Academy.
In 1938, he was appointed Head of Sculpture at the Glasgow School of Art, a position he held until his retirement in 1961. Under his leadership, the department flourished, nurturing new generations of sculptors and expanding the reach of modern sculpture in Scotland. His achievements were further honoured in 1963 when he was named Sculptor in Ordinary for Scotland, an official position within the Royal Household.
Throughout his career, Schotz’s work was exhibited widely, and his sculptures remain in major collections, including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
