Renowned artist holds show in tiny Lothian gallery

Published on Wednesday 28 May 2008 13:54

A WORLD-FAMOUS artist is holding a rare exhibition in a tiny seaside art gallery in East Lothian.

John Bellany CBE has 12 original paintings worth a total of 100,000 for sale at the Harbour Gallery, Port Seton over the next four weeks.

The small gallery is owned by Alistair Hamilton, a lifelong friend of Bellany's, and the exhibition forms the focal point of the small Three Harbours Arts Festival.

Hamilton, 64, an ex-art teacher, opened his gallery in 2003 primarily to show his own work, but has recently branched out to promote local talent.

Now, the gallery is set for a bumper show with the world-renowned Bellany agreeing to help out his old friend.

Mr Hamilton said: "I first met John when we were at primary school together and we've been lifelong friends ever since. We also both attended Edinburgh's College of Art around the same time, though not in the same year.

"He is very generous in letting such a small gallery sell his work as he has paintings hanging in most of the prestigious galleries in the world.

"I'm quite confident we will sell all 12 paintings as Bellany is one of the most respected Scottish artists of his generation."

Bellany, originally from Port Seton, was bestowed with the honour of being the first ever Freeman of East Lothian in 2005.

Described as one of the most influential Scottish painters since the war, he was born into a family of fishermen and boat-builders in 1942. His coastal upbringing influenced much of his early work.

After a bout of ill health in the 1980s, which resulted in a liver transplant, Bellany relocated to the Tuscan town of Barga, although he still has homes in Edinburgh and Essex.