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03 December 2008
 
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Parliament showcases Scottish Contemporary Art


artist Calum Colvin and Presiding Officer George Reid
Click for a larger image: Calum Colvin and Presiding Officer George Reid with two of Colvin's works

Portraits of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott are among five works by Scots artist Calum Colvin which are on loan to the Scottish Parliament.

View the online gallery.

Holyrood is committed to showcasing the arts in Scotland, with an emphasis on the exploration of Scottish identity, and Calum Colvin's digital prints on canvas continue this tradition.

Scottish contemporary culture

The Glasgow-born artist, who studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, looks at the cultural, intellectual and moral ambiguities of the modern age.

His images feature objects that refer to Scottish icons, high art and contemporary culture, with the Burns portrait, pictured below right, including the poetic references of red roses, green rushes and a red heart.

The Ossian: Fragments of Ancient Poetry pictures are part of a series that was inspired by the 18th century poet James Macpherson's 'translations' of Ossian.

Historic setting of Queensberry House

They are on display in the Presiding Officer's dining room in the historic setting of 17th century Queensberry House, where they will be seen by distinguished visitors from home and abroad.

Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns
Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns: Click to view the gallery and read more about the images

At a viewing of the newly installed art, Calum Colvin said he was very pleased his work had been chosen for the building, which was restored as part of the Holyrood project.

"It is a great honour to have them on show in the Scottish Parliament," he said.

"I hoped that one day some of my work would come here so I am pleased it has happened so quickly. I think it is quite apt that it is in a room that a lot of people from different countries will visit.

"I have done a lot of exhibitions around the world over the years, so maybe visitors will recognise my work from previous exhibitions."

Holyrood's permanent collection features pieces by artists including Will Maclean, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Christine Borland and Alison Watt.

Scotland's literary heritage is reflected on the Parliament's Canongate Wall, which displays quotes from writers including Scott and Burns.