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London can wait! Kirkcaldy museum gets Jack's new work first

25 March 2010
By Kate Shannon

KIRKCALDY folk will get the chance to see Jack Vettriano's new paintings before the rest of the world on Saturday, as his new exhibition premieres in town.

The free exhibition, entitled 'Days of Wine And Roses' opens on Saturday at Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery – and is expected to break box-office records as thousands of fans flock to the gallery.

It is Vettriano's first show in four years and it has a distinctly continental feel featuring paintings inspired by his visits to Milan and the French Riviera alongside some of his signature darker interiors.

'Days of Wine and Roses', 'Last Great Romantics' and 'The Weight', are just three of the new works of art from the Fife-born artist.

He said: "I can't quite believe that it is 25 years since I first submitted work to the first Fife Art Exhibition, which was held at the Kirkcaldy Museum and which, in many respects, kick-started my career as an artist.

"I am as grateful now as I was then to be given the opportunity to show my work at the museum – exhibiting in such prestigious surroundings is a great honour for amateur and established artists alike."

Vettriano chose to premiere his exhibition in Kirkcaldy as a gesture of thanks to the part it played in his development as an artist.

The museum's free admission policy allowed the self-taught artist to spend countless hours looking at the paintings by William McTaggart, the Scottish Colourists and the Glasgow Boys.

Lesley Botten, interpretation team leader, libraries and museums, said: "Fife Council is delighted to host this exhibition which is a showcase event in the extensive programme for Celebrating Fife 2010: Our Year of Culture.

"Jack is world famous and extremely popular, so hosting his only exhibition in Scotland will help attract tourists into the Kingdom and give the local economy a boost.

"This prestigious event will also give art lovers from the Kingdom and beyond a chance to appreciate this Fife born talent."

Painter Jack Vettriano: I don't want to be remembered for my most famous work, The Singing Butler

SCOTS artist Jack Vettriano has revealed how he doesn't want to be remembered for one of his most famous pictures.

He said he would rather be known for his interior paintings than for The Singing Butler, the familiar image of a butler serenading a couple dancing on a beach.

That painting sold for £744,000 in 2004 and is one of the best-selling posters in Britain.

But Vettriano said his interior paintings, which typically show sultry couples in romantic situations, were more true to himself.

He said: "People have always enjoyed the beachy paintings that I do and I only really stopped it because I got more of a kick out of doing the interior stuff, I thought that was more me.

"I could be the guy that dances on the beach with a butler singing, but I'm more likely to be the guy sitting in a bar eyeing up somebody who is vulnerable and I'm very predatory.

"I think that the success of The Singing Butler and other beach paintings puts you in a kind of awkward place where you think, 'Now, if I keep on doing this I will be forever known as the guy that did the beach paintings' and I don't want to be remembered for that."

Vettriano show is record breaker at Kirkcaldy museum

01 April 2010
By Kate Shannon

JACK Vettriano has given Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery a massive 'art' attack, as thousands of visitors flock to see his new exhibition.

'Days of Wine and Roses' opened at the Lang Toun gallery on Saturday and attracted over 3400 people in the first two days – breaking all records.

Vettriano chose Kirkcaldy over London and Milan to open his first exhibition in four years.

Dallas Mechan, service development manager for heritage and art, said: "The first weekend was amazing.

"We had just under 1700 people on Saturday, 1750 on Sunday, and about 800 on Monday. The most we have had in one day in the past was 1000.

"A lot of people are coming from all over the country, it has been fantastic."

On Sunday the artist was meant to be at the museum to sign books, but unfortunately he pulled out at the last minute due to illness.

Ms Mechan added that she would like to apologise to everyone who came along to see Vettriano.

She said: "We are planning to rearrange the book signing for another time. We haven't agreed a date yet but it will be before the end of the run."

The exhibition boasts 35 original paintings, as well as photographs by Milanese photographer Fredi Marcarini and runs until until May 2.

On May 1, the museum is holding an original evening of music, theatre and glamour, all based around 'Days of Wine and Roses'.

The event will feature music, specially created #OOPS#tails, live theatre inspired by Vettriano's work, and a prize for the most glamorous guest who will also be challenged to spot the real-life Singing Butler.

The exhibition is one of the highlights of Celebrating Fife 2010.

I thank these rooms with all my heart ...

A STAR studded private preview of the exhibition took place last Wednesday night.

First Minister Alex Salmond, singer-songwriter Marti Pellow, author Ian Rankin, and entrepreneur Sir Tom Farmer joined guests at the event.

It was hosted by the directors of Heartbreak Publishing – Jack Vettriano's recently launched publishing company - to celebrate Vettriano's return to Kirkcaldy.

The guest list comprised family and friends, as well as supporters and collectors from across the business communities.

In his speech, Vettriano thanked the First Minister for his attendance and also for the advice he had given the self-taught artist several years earlier.

Jack said: "Without solicitation, he told me to never forget that those who criticise you do so partly because they fear you, they prefer the status quo whereas you scare them. I was touched by his words then and I am now."

Speaking about bringing the premiere tothe museum and art gallery, he added: "This is where I learnt my craft. I doubt the curators can remember a skinny 30-year-old with long curly hair and a moustache, but I would visit often and stay for hours to look at the magnificent collection of paintings of McTaggart and The Glasgow Boys trying to work out how they did it.

"I thank these rooms and this building with all my heart."

Jack Vettriano with Marti Pellow

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