Photographer Harry Benson honoured by Holyrood exhibition

RENOWNED photographer Harry Benson says it is a 'distinct honour' for his work to go on display in the Scottish Parliament.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jul 2016, 10:59 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:31 BST

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Harry's work has not been on public display in Scotland since 2008 but Holyrood is to host a new exhibition showcasing images from some of the most significant moments in the history of the US over the last 50 years. Picture: TSPLHarry's work has not been on public display in Scotland since 2008 but Holyrood is to host a new exhibition showcasing images from some of the most significant moments in the history of the US over the last 50 years. Picture: TSPL
Harry's work has not been on public display in Scotland since 2008 but Holyrood is to host a new exhibition showcasing images from some of the most significant moments in the history of the US over the last 50 years. Picture: TSPL

Glasgow-born Benson is famous for his pictures of the Beatles in the US as well as having photographed every American president since Dwight D Eisenhower.

His work has not been on public display in Scotland since 2008 but Holyrood is to host a new exhibition showcasing images from some of the most significant moments in the history of the US over the last 50 years.

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They include the picture Benson took of former US president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy dancing that was used on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine alongside images from the US civil rights movement of the 1960s, pictures of Watergate journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward and Richard Nixon’s resignation speech.

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Photographs of famous faces from outside politics - including Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Jack Nicholson, Dolly Parton and Kevin Spacey - will also be in the display, which runs from August 12 to December 3.

Benson will also be speaking about his work as part of the parliament’s Festival of Politics, when he will speak to deputy presiding officer Linda Fabiani about his work, his inspiration and his childhood in Glasgow.

The photographer said: “It is a distinct honour to have my photographs on display at the Scottish Parliament.

“Photojournalism is history. Photographs bring total recall of events and the surrounding times to those who lived through them and hopefully will bring an understanding to those too young to have been there”.

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Related topics:HolyroodScottish ParliamentGlasgowScotland