The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Don’t miss a rare chance to see Harry Benson’s Seeing America exhibition before it leaves the north-east
Time is running out if you want to see the acclaimed collection of iconic photographs taken by Harr y Benson, which is being displayed at Drum Castle.
These photographs, which capture American social, political and cultural history over the past 50 years, have been loaned to the National Trust for Scotland by the Scottish Parliament, and have already proved to be a huge draw with visitors.
Morag Evans, senior property assistant at Drum Castle, Garden and Estate, said: “Visitor numbers are up and the feedback has been 100% positive, with a considerable number visiting just because of the exhibition. Displayed in our dedicated exhibition area that was once a staff flat, and before that a series of unused bedrooms, the space works really well as a contemporary exhibition area. The neutral interior allows visitors to view the exhibition without any distraction.
“Visitors like the contrast between the historic interiors within the house and the feel of a modern art gallery on the top floor. The exhibition has had the endorsement of staff at the Scottish Parliament who say they like the ‘ hang’ at Drum as the space lends itself entirely to the visitor being able to study each one individually.
“The presence of Benson at Drum has given visitors the opportunity to see some of the most iconic photographs taken in the second half of the 20th century and ones that they might not have seen otherwise. People feel that they can identify with them and some recall where they were on the day that a picture was taken.
“As a world-renowned photographer in his field, Benson’s work encompasses the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, the Beatles’ first visit to the USA and the enormity of the events of 9/11.”
Originally from Glasgow, Harry Benson arrived in America with The Beatles and never returned. He photographed every US president since Eisenhower, recording the highs and lows of the office, from President Nixon’s resignation speech to Jimmy Carter during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.
As a photojournalist, Benson relished the opportunity to be at the heart of global news stories and the exhibition includes a series of photographs documenting the racial tensions and discrimination in 1960s America. Harry was one of fewer than 10 journalists to cover James Meredith’s March Against Fear in Mississippi in 1966 to encourage African Americans to register to vote.
He was also present during the Watts Uprising which saw 34 African Americans killed during a series of riots in Los Angeles and had access to some of the most well- known faces in the fields of fashion, music, sport and entertainment, including The Beatles, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), James Brown, Jack Nicholson and Dolly Parton.
The exhibition can be seen at Drum Castle until Sunday, December 3. The 14th-century Tower of Drum is a rare survivor from this period and with its Jacobean mansion house and additions by Victorian lairds, Drum Castle is one of Scotland’s most inviting castles. Inside, there is superb furniture and fine paintings. The tower battlements offer magnificent views of the Forest of Drum and the countryside beyond while outside, visitors are free to explore the beautiful Garden of Historic Roses, woodland trails and a children’s playground.
Other dates of note at Drum Castle include the annual Holly Fest and Exclusively Highlands’ Christmas Market, which takes place over the weekend of December 9 and 10 from 11am- 4pm daily. Visitors can hear Christmas stories, sample sleighdriverfriendly mulled wine, purchase holly wreaths harvested from the estate and meet Santa Claus.
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