CHARACTERS OF BRAEMAR - THE FIFE ARMS
In 2018, I had the great pleasure of being commissioned by the internationally renowned contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth to create a series of portraits of local people living in and around Braemar, Aberdeenshire, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
Nestled within the spectacular landscape of the Cairngorms, Braemar is a village steeped in history, tradition and a strong sense of community. Known for its longstanding royal connections, its celebrated Highland Gathering and its proximity to Balmoral, it is a place of remarkable character and natural beauty. I was immediately captivated not only by the surrounding landscape, but also by the warmth, individuality and fascinating stories of the people who call it home.
The portraits were commissioned for The Fife Arms, an extraordinary Victorian coaching inn transformed by Hauser & Wirth's founders, Iwan and Manuela Wirth, into a distinctive hotel where Scottish heritage, contemporary art and imaginative design come together.
With its remarkable collection of artworks, richly decorated interiors and celebration of Highland culture, the hotel provides a wonderfully fitting setting for these portraits, which are displayed in its traditional pub, The Flying Stag.
The commission was an especially rewarding experience, allowing me to capture the personalities and individual character of the people who make Braemar such a special place. Through these portraits, I hoped to celebrate the community and create a lasting record of some of its much-loved local figures.
In 2023, I was delighted to be commissioned once again by Hauser & Wirth to return to Braemar and create a further series of portraits for The Fife Arms. It was a wonderful opportunity to renew my connection with the village and continue a project that has become particularly close to my heart.
Braemar remains a place of great personal significance to me, and I hope to return in the future to continue documenting its people, traditions and distinctive Highland character through portraiture.
