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Vettriano attacks MSPs

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Published Date: 16 March 2008
By Anne Mackenzie and Murdo MacLeod
ARTIST Jack Vettriano has hit out at MSPs for wanting to borrow his paintings for buildings and offices.
In an interview with Scotland on Sunday, the painter said that Holyrood, having spent so much money on the new building and on commissioning art, could easily have bought some of his work rather than wanting to borrow paintings.

Vettriano said that he was angry after seeing reports that suggested that MSPs would like to have his paintings in offices or around the new Scottish Parliament.

Vettriano said: "The Scottish Parliament… how much did it cost? I don't know how much they spent on art, but they didn't spend any on my art, when they could have. This has happened twice with MSPs – they've asked to borrow, and I think, 'No, this is about you more than me.'"

A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said that while MSPs had publicly flagged up the idea of having a Jack Vettriano work at Holyrood, the Parliament had never formally requested to borrow a painting.





The full article contains 172 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 15 March 2008 7:47 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
  • Related Topics: Jack Vettriano
 
1

Why Are 400,000 Leaving The UK Each Year ?,

15/03/2008 23:38:01
Well done Jack, and well said.

Though that's your OBE up the swanney !
2

,

16/03/2008 00:35:38
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
3

Richardinho,

16/03/2008 00:42:54
What a miserable git! No, really, A Vetriano costs several thousand pounds. There would be an outcry if the Parliament tried to spend this amount on one.
He should feel honored at this request.
This is the same artist who was moaning about no major public collection exhibiting his work!
4

subrosa,

16/03/2008 00:59:28
Well said Jack. You stick to your principles.

#3 An MSP's office is private and not a public area (just in case you didn't know).
5

Richardinho,

16/03/2008 01:02:38
What principles are those-that he should make as much money as possible?

And in case you didn't know, MSPs meet with all kinds of people-Foreign dignitaries, Members of the public, other MSPs in their offices, so it's not a bad place for a budding artist's work to be seen.
6

britsout,

camelon 16/03/2008 01:13:55
did he frame his own complaint ? or did he have to copy it out of a book as usual
7

Rozz Fyffe,

Scotland 16/03/2008 01:16:10
weel done Jack,
8

britsout,

camelon 16/03/2008 01:16:28
does any body think he's any good ? fumbler and smudger i would have thought
9

Matt there,

somewhere 16/03/2008 01:39:05
Jack Vettriano? Oh. Yes. The artist who has one idea and re-uses for almost every painting he does.

A poorly-executed group of people all standing around.

The MSPs thought it might be nice to offer Jack Vettriano a bit of free gallery space. That was nice of them. But why? He's hardly the best artist in Scotland, is he? I mean, he's not all bad, but a bit derivative. Rather like comparing a car built by an assembly line to one that is handmade as a Labour of Love.
10

A Better Way,

Edinburgh 16/03/2008 04:29:33
Come on lads and lassies, lets not get to personal because a guy asks for a fair crack at the whip. What if the Parliament asked you to come round on a Sunday and donate your time to cleaning the carpet at Wendy's seat. Of course you would tell them to get stuffed because its not your job and the mess is huge from the battering she gets from the big man Alex every week.

Perhaps a token rental fee could be arranged with the artist and some kind of notice that his work is up for sale at xxxx price. The Parliament was built by Westminster Flunkies who thought they were in a foreign land (thats right they were)hence the costs going up by so much. They wouldnt have a clue about Scottish Art and wouldnt have given a sheite.

Do the right thing and find a compromise that would give all Scottish Artists a chance to display their work. They are entitled to make a living in their homeland. Its Time to Vote the Scottish Way.
11

Grahamski,

Falkirk 16/03/2008 08:30:27
I don't know much about art but isn't Mr Vettriano that guy that paints posters, like that burd scratching her a!rse on the tennis court?
Mr Vettriano should be honoured to have his work displayed at Holyrood.
12

overton,

balmedie 16/03/2008 08:30:44
9 Matt there,

You are probably correct in what you say but the fact that Jack Vettriano does paint and continues to paint ensures that he does get better and he should be commended for his perseverance.
Perhaps the appreciation of a painters development only becomes clear when they have stuck at it for 20 years or so.
It would be a less interesting life without the likes of Jack Vettriano.
13

Alberto.,

16/03/2008 09:15:16
Regardless of the quality or not of Jack's 'art' - which must be to others an entirely personal thing, but he should beware Politicians!

Of course, they may want to Didsplay / use his paintings, or whatever, but mainly it would seem for their own self appreciation and acclaim to decorate their their extremely expensive building (and who knows, in time the odd MSP's private home now and again or even long term - especially when its free!

With the recent shameful displays we've had concerning record keeping in the political world, it would seem, that in no time at all, activity by some bright entrepeneural Politician,will be stating , when asked to return the pictures to the owner, it may be found they cannot do this as they have no record of 'Where are they now?' - sorry mate, tough! And that will be that!
14

OscarMacApfel,

Dumfries 16/03/2008 09:28:32
#11 Finally something I agree with Grahamski about.

Vettriano's entire body of work isn't worth a discarded Edward Hopper with a dog pooh atop it.

Is it just me or does everyone else get the slightly distasteful feeling that the bloke in question is overly fond of fetishising young women?
15

donald,

glasgow 16/03/2008 09:45:37
Labour MSPs would just steal them.
16

Unimpressed one,

16/03/2008 10:15:57
#6, He didn't copy anything out of a book only used illustrations for inspiration. Your ignorance of art is telling.
17

DaveK,

Edinburgh 16/03/2008 10:49:30
I've got it! You can buy Jack's prints down at Ocean Terminal (and all good retail centres) some even throw in a nice little click frame for the price. MSP gets to look dreamily at the Vettriano Image on their office wall, retailer makes a profit and Jack makes on the rights, MSP is at their desk and looks like they are actually at work - brilliant! Of course, knowing the selection you get in the shops, every other office would have the woman with the fag, the couple/Jeeves/ on the beach.
18

Mercutio,

FALKIRK 16/03/2008 10:52:06
Why should Mr Vettriano feel honoured by having his work selected by this large group of first class jobsworths.
19

Miss H,

16/03/2008 11:12:00
I am angry that any MSP should want to have one of his paintings in the first place. Who are the guilty parties? Thy should be named and shamed.
20

Robert,

Kirriemuir 16/03/2008 11:30:54
Popularity always attracts the envious. When The Beatles first arrived on the music scene their songs were ignored but look what has happened since; their songs are now recognised as music. I subscribe to Jack's views and feelings, the Scottish Parliament buildings shoud be decorated with the works of national craft people and artists and at the going price. I would much prefer an original Vettriano in a conspicuous place that a portrait of the monarch.
21

beckypumps1,

Fife 16/03/2008 12:55:21
I thought Jack borrows his art anyway. If I was an artist I would be highly deleted to have the opportunity to show my work in parliament. May be they could get Rolf to help them out.
22

OscarMacApfel,

Dumfries 16/03/2008 12:55:56
Why any MSP would want a Vettriano painting is beyond me.

There are far better self taught, naive Scottish artists than Vettriano. West Calder born John Kane for example. His work showed great sparks of originality and depth, whereas Vettriano is simply devoid of imagination.
23

britsout,

camelon 16/03/2008 13:45:58
#16 no , he copies them out of art text books as was proved side by side when the revelations were first aired. the points others have made s regarding the more talented scots sunday artists is perfectly valid . much the output of the above mentioned John Kane displays more imagination than i fear jack could ever " borrow " even if he could find imaginative sources to "borrow "from
24

elizabeth veldon,

16/03/2008 17:54:27
he's a greedy, talantless wind-bag who's angry that he might loose out on a few quid over the sale of another one of his overblown tea towels.
25

subrosa,

16/03/2008 19:40:33
I like his work. It makes me smile. In small doses mind you - I mean his work:)
26

,

16/03/2008 19:58:53
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
27

Fanling,

Guangdong 16/03/2008 20:51:58
#5 Richardinho
"... so it's not a bad place for a budding artist's work to be seen."

Jack Vettriano is, by his own persistence and a well-deserved up-yours to a snobbish art establishment, a successful, well-established artist, and not the "budding artist" you so describe. His subject-matter is not to everyone's taste (and I include mine in that), but his technique is flawless. His paintings make people smile and forget the humdrum of everyday existence. Nothing wrong with that.

Why should he pander to some useless duffwit freebie-seeking politician's vanity?
28

Furchrissake,

16/03/2008 22:11:05
Vettriano is a smart old fox. Copy pictures from text books, sell to the unintelligent rich - bingo.

I think politicians should sharpen up on their own area of 'expertise' before they're allowed to comment and choose items of 'art' to display.

21 beckypumps1,Fife - said 'If I was an artist I would be highly deleted to have the opportunity to show my work in parliament. Your wish is my command. You will be deleted.
29

OscarMacApfel,

Dumfries 16/03/2008 23:35:56
#23 If you ever read this britsout, I'm delighted that someone else has first of all heard of John Kane let alone recognises the quality of his work.
30

Donart/NZ,

Enzed 17/03/2008 07:56:34
One man's meat is anothers............

It's his work why should he give it away?

I'm sure those who want it can afford to pay for it!

I never heard of the "Vettriano Charitable Trust" for politicians who are on a gravy train.

Get real!
31

beckypumps1,

Fife 17/03/2008 21:42:41
23

oops! I am sure you get the picture.
32

Andrew Buchan,

Kincardineshire 18/03/2008 00:02:49
Another complete non-story so people can splutter over their porridge about MSPs.

Quote:

A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said that while MSPs had publicly flagged up the idea of having a Jack Vettriano work at Holyrood, the Parliament had never formally requested to borrow a painting.


Unquote:

Who'd want that hanging in our Parliament anyway? You'd just get a load of fat Labour MSPs complaining about it.
33

Proud to have Scots blood,

Brooklyn, New York 26/03/2008 13:45:14
I like Mr. Vettriano's work......They make me feel happy....If I ever hit the Lottery, one of his paintings is at the top of my "Buy"
list.................

 

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