Spin Events
Keeping Faith
John Maitland Moir from the Greek Orthodox Church (c) Luke Watson
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh
30 September 2004
After the excesses of festival time, we will be kicking off the autumn season with a spot of introspection at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery (SNPG). Keeping Faith is an exhibition of photos by recent ECA graduate Luke Watson.
For his acclaimed degree show at Edinburgh College of Art last year, Luke created a series of portraits of faith leaders from all over Scotland. The striking square format images stood out as perceptive and cleverly composed – with glimpses of the personality of each subject emerging from, and merging with, the institutional trappings of their faith (whether ornate, ritualistic, informal and so on).
Great news then, that James Holloway, Director of the Portrait Gallery has acquired the whole series, along with some newer pieces, for the SNPG permanent collection. We will talk to Luke about the conception behind his project, about his ‘photographic encounter’ with the subjects, the iconic style he has developed from renaissance painting, and the traces of subversive humour and affection that have crept into the pieces.