The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Vettriano returns to roots with early work
ART: Exhibition co-curated by artist will go on display in Kirkcaldy, showing formative paintings for the first time
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Iam delighted to be returning to Kirkcaldy to exhibit, for the very first time, a Hoggan alongside a Vettriano. JACK VETTRIANO
Early paintings by Fife artist Jack Vettriano, including those painted under his birth name Jack Hoggan, will be shown together in public for the first time in a major new exhibition in Kirkcaldy.
In a global coup for Kirkcaldy Galleries, Jack Vettriano: The Early Years will include nearly a dozen paintings produced in his formative years.
He said he had decided the time was right to publicly acknowledge for the first time some of his earliest works in which he often used images copied from books.
“For years I was embarrassed and then I just got to thinking ‘what is there to be embarrassed about?’” he said.
“It was because for 10 years I had copied, and signed it Hoggan.
“Now I have found a style and for years it has been recognisable.
“I thought I should not be embarrassed any more.”
Mr Vettriano said the exhibition would be a celebration of his career. It will feature paintings he created from his twenties until he moved to London in 2000.
And it is no coincidence that he has chosen the Fife Cultural Trust venue for the show, since that was where he spent many of his early years “skiving off work” after he was gifted a set of watercolour paints.
The galleries are home to one of the country’s finest Scottish art collections, including oils by the Scottish colourist Samuel John Peploe, which particularly inspired the young Vettriano.
The show, curated in partnership with the artist, will include many works on loan from private collectors.
One of the paintings on show for the first time in years is The Critical Hour of 3am. Mr Vettriano said it captured the moment that he grappled with the decision to devote himself full time to painting.
A copy of an early rejection letter from Edinburgh College of Art will also be included in the show.
It is 10 years since his last exhibition in his former home town.
He said: “I am delighted to be returning to Kirkcaldy to exhibit, for the very first time, a Hoggan alongside a Vettriano.
“It has given me great pleasure to curate this exhibition with Kirkcaldy Galleries.”
However, he admitted he still awaits a tap on the shoulder to say: “We have found you out.”
Fife Cultural Trust chief executive Heather Stuart said: “Jack has spoken often of his pride in his roots and how, no matter where he has stayed in the world, he has remained a Fifer, so it is fitting that he is returning to Fife with this exhibition which will show the artistic journey he started here.”