Loch Gallery artist Gerard M. Burns presented his portrait of Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House, the First Minister’s official residence in Edinburgh, where she saw it for the first time. “It’s just an amazing piece of art and I think it is very, very impressive,” said Ms. Sturgeon.
The portrait forms part of an exhibition by the artist which will be launched on April 7th in New York for Scotland Week celebrations held in the US city. The exhibition, titled A Brush with Inspiration, is a celebration of inspirational Scots. Other works include portraits of actors Ewan McGregor, Brian Cox and Alan Cumming.
“The sitters are a combination of talented Scots with an American profile, Scots that have made it in New York and Scots talent that we just want to celebrate,” said Burns.
There are 16 portraits in total and proceeds from sales or donations will go to The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice fundraising for a new site in Glasgow.
Scotland Week was launched seven years ago by the Scottish Government to celebrate Scottish history and culture and to raise the country's profile in the US. More than 50 million people across the world claim Scottish ancestry with the majority of them in the USA and Canada.
We extend our congratulations to Gerard who has, with these recent successes, secured a reputation as one of Scotland’s most sought after and prominent contemporary artists.
Further Reading:
"Nicola Sturgeon admires new portrait at Bute House", The Scotsman, March 10th 2015
"In pictures: Nicola Sturgeon gets a sneak peek at new portrait", The Herald, March 10th 2015
