Swinney sponsors art exhibition

Depute First Minister John Swinney is sponsoring an exhibition in the Scottish Parliament of the work of a Blairgowrie artist.

Larry Scrimgeour’s skill in Pictish and Celtic art – which he took up on his retirement from a career in academia – has gained him widespread acclaim and recognition.

From Monday December 12 to Friday December 16, he will be exhibiting his designs, which include Celtic crosses (Holy Roods), in the Scottish Parliament building.

Mr Swinney said: “I am delighted to be sponsoring this exhibition of a local artist in the Scottish Parliament.

“The parliament building regularly hosts a rich, diverse range of different exhibitions that allow for public participation and engagement, but also to help promote a variety of different causes or projects.

“Larry’s work using Holy Roods will be right at home in Holyrood. I hope that this exhibition will allow many more people to view his work, who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to do so.”

Working from his home, Larry, who also volunteers with the charity Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland as chaplain to Dundee and Angus College, creates his own distinctive pieces using a single, continuous, line. Many designs contain elements of wildlife.

“It isn’t easy and requires a certain mindset as well as a wee bit of skill,” he said.