Salmond puts a new twist on Christmas

Published on Monday 6 December 2010 15:56

HE IS celebrated by fans and cursed by the art establishment for the blistering eroticism of his paintings. So when Alex Salmond invited Jack Vettriano to paint the Scottish Government's official Christmas card, one might have expected an image of stockings, discarded red ermine and white fur, as he embarked on an artistic interpretation of the classic song, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

• Alex Salmond and Jack Vettriano at the launch Picture: Phil Wilkinson

Instead, the artist joked that it required "an astonishing degree of self-restraint" to create the scene of a dancing couple that will soon be propped up on thousands of mantelpieces across Scotland.

As the artist joined the First Minister at a launch last night in the National Gallery of Scotland, Mr Vettriano said: "Given the type of paintings that I do, it was with an astonishing degree of self-restraint and personal discipline that I came up with the painting for Let's Twist Again, an alcohol-free image of a healthy, non-smoking, monogamous couple dancing with their clothes on."

Famous for his erotic studies of raven-haired and scantily clad women, Mr Vettriano has been consistently snubbed by the art establishment, with the National Gallery of Scotland, which reflects the art of the nation, refusing to purchase a single painting by the nation's most successful artist.

Last night, Let's Twist Again was on display in the gallery for only a few hours, but the artist described the event as "a one-night stand".

He added: "I'm proud to be here, and it's an honour to be in such company; I'm standing amongst some lovely paintings."

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 shared among 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 Let's Twist Again.

Mr 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, so how could I refuse?

"When we were chatting about ideas for the painting, I couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure about this?" and was relieved when he said, "Yes, absolutely."

The sale of the original paintings and limited-edition prints of the First Minister's previous three Christmas cards raised about 50,000 for good causes. Last night, Mr 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."

lThe First Minister was not alone in launching his Christmas card. Yesterday, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall unveiled a card which had a picture of the couple on skis.