As Others See Us - Portraits from the Highlands

As Others See Us, an innovative exhibition of portraits by some of the Highland’s and Scotland’s leading artists, opens at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery this Saturday (1 September). Part of the programme for Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, the exhibition’s title and theme refer to the famous quote from a Robert Burns poem ‘Oh wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursel’s as others see us!’

Twelve artists were invited to paint a self-portrait and a portrait of another artist, either of their choice or selected by the exhibition’s curator, Gordon Brown of Brown’s Gallery, Tain.   The artists range from icons of international reputation to new graduates and emerging artists.  John Byrne is paired with Steven Campbell; Calum Colvin with John Bellany; Alex Main with David Eustace; Allan MacDonald with Eugenie Vronskaya; Craig Mackay with Pat Semple and Gordon Robin Brown with Jennifer Houliston.  It is particularly poignant that the exhibition features the last major work by the late Steven Campbell following his recent death.

First shown at the Royal Scottish Academy in July where it attracted a large audience, the exhibition has also toured to the Swanson Gallery, Thurso. 

Gordon Brown of Brown’s Gallery said: “The pairings between artists has produced some remarkable and unexpected results. It was my pleasure to work with artists who remain open and willing to search for new challenges in the most unlikely places.”

Fiona Hampton, director of  Highland 2007, said: “It has been really exciting to have well known artists working with emerging talent contributing to this wonderful exhibition as part of the programme for Highland 2007.”

The Highland Council’s Vice Chairman of Education, Culture and Sport, Councillor Bren Gormley said:  “Following the successful opening of the exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy earlier this year, we are very pleased that it is now being showcased in the refurbished Inverness Museum and Art Gallery as part of the year long celebration of Highland culture.”

The project has been developed by The Highland Council’s Exhibitions Unit in partnership with Brown’s Gallery, Tain for Highland 2007, Scotland’s year of Highland culture.

Editor’s notes

Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, aims to promote the Highlands and Islands as a great place to live and to visit through showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future.  The project is a partnership between three principal funding agencies: The Highland Council, the Scottish Executive, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. See www.highland2007.com for full details.

Inverness Museum & Art Gallery is open Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm.