First Minister's Christmas card to feature Jack Vettriano image

Published on Monday 6 December 2010 13:47

First Minister Alex Salmond's official Christmas card will this year feature an image created by Jack Vettriano.

Let's Twist Again will be unveiled for the first time at an event at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh this evening.

The canvas features a festive image of a glamorous couple dancing at a Christmas party. It has been donated by the artist and the proceeds from the auction of the work will be split between Bethany Christian Trust, Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres, Quarriers and Teenage Cancer Trust.

The charities will also each receive six signed limited edition prints of the painting.

The sale of the original paintings and limited edition prints of the First Minister's previous three Christmas cards raised around 50,000 for good causes.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "I am a huge fan of Jack Vettriano. He is a self made Scottish success story and his work is recognised and celebrated around the world.

"Let's Twist Again is a fun festive image in Jack's trademark style I am delighted that it will feature on my Christmas card this year.

"This year's chosen charities - Bethany Christian Trust, Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres, Quarriers and Teenage Cancer Trust – work extremely hard to help others and are very worthwhile beneficiaries.

Thanks to Jack's talent and reputation I am sure that they will all receive a generous donation from the sale of Let's Twist Again."

Jack Vettriano said: "When the First Minister rang to ask me if I would create a painting to be used as his official Christmas card, I felt immensely proud and flattered by the request. He was kind enough to have attended and officially opened my exhibition, Days of Wine and Roses, when it premiered at the Kirkcaldy Museum in March this year, so how could I refuse? When we were chatting about ideas for the Christmas painting, I couldn't help but ask "Are you sure about this?" and was relieved when he said "yes, absolutely."

"I did warn the First Minister not to expect a snowy landscape any time soon as I felt it important to stay true to myself and my style of work. We had barely said cheerio on the phone, when ideas started to brew for an image featuring a couple dressed up in their finery, dancing at a Christmas party. I wanted to show the fun side of the festive season – the presents, the excuse to dress up and the romance in the air at this time of year. I just crossed my fingers and hoped that he would like it.

"This is a tremendous honour and I'm delighted to have been given this opportunity. I do hope that we raise a lot of money for the four charities that have been nominated as the beneficiaries this year. They all do such fantastic work throughout the year, it's nice to be able to contribute something and to show our appreciation."