‘Thoughtful’ Calvin Harris portrait added to Scotland’s art collection
He famously went from making demos in his bedroom to become one of the world’s most successful recording artists in the space of a few years.
Now Scotland’s superstar DJ and record producer Calvin Harris has become part of the nation’s official art collection.
A portrait of the Dumfriesborn star is now on display alongside images of Robert Burns, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.
The portrait of Harris, created by English photographer Paul Stuart, is the latest high-profile acquisition to be unveiled by the National Galleries of Scotland. The image of him sat next to a trestle table with his hands on his lap is said by experts at the gallery to have captured him in a “deeply thoughtful yet poised” pose.
Unveiled in the gallery by Harris’s former Dumfries High School music teacher, Stewart Solley, it was commissioned three years ago from the magazine GQ Italia.
Harris, who got his big break in the industry after posting home-made recordings on the social networking site Myspace, released his debut album, I Created Disco, 11 years
CHRISTOPHER BAKER
0 The portrait of Calvin Harris was unveiled by his former high school music teacher, Stewart Solley
ago and went on to work with Groove Armada, All Saints, Kylie Minogue and Rihanna.
Harris’s portrait has gone on display alongside images of comedy icon Billy Connolly, singer-songwriter Annie Lennox, actor Ewan Mcgregor, actress Karen Gillan and author Ian Rankin.
Christopher Baker, director of European and Scottish art and portraiture at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “Calvin Harris has made a remarkable contribution to music both in Scotland and globally over the last decade and we are absolutely delighted to have him represented in Scotland’s national collection.
“Few artists can equal the impact he has made on contemporary culture, and Paul Stuart’s portrait is a reflective, exceptional image which the
many visitors to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery will now be able to enjoy.”
Anne Lyden, international photography curator, added: “We have had a real desire to add a portrait of Calvin Harris to our collection. He has made it so big on the international circuit, is wanted all over the world for his music, and has had hit after hit . This image really caught our attention because it is one of quiet, relective pose. It is a real contrast to the energetic image we know, but at the same time there is a real focus on his hands.”
Mr Solley said: “I remember him as a really quiet guy who was also shy tall and geeky. He had very few friends, he was a bit of a loner.
“I never imagined he could have made a career out ouf it. How wrong could I be?”
“Few artists can equal the impact he [Calvin Harris] has made on contemporary culture, and Paul Stuart’s portrait is a reflective, exceptional image”