The Singing Butler stars at Vettriano retrospective in Glasgow
The Singing Butler , Vettriano’s iconic painting , has taken a starring role at Vettriano’s retrospective at the Kelvingrove Art gallery in Glasgow. Over 100 of his paintings are featured in the exhibition which has filled the gallery with the curious and devoted.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow
The art gallery itself is almost full to bursting point . There are queues to see certain pictures and there is a queue at the till in the exhibition shop. The postcard rack is emptying fast and the limited edition prints are being snapped up.
Jack Vettriano has cooperated with other artists and bands in Scotland , most notable the Scottish band St Jude’s Infirmary . He starred in the video of the band’s song ‘Goodbye Jack Vettriano’ which was recorded yesterday on the beach at Edinburgh. The band faithfully recreated the scene of Vettriano’s most famous image of the Singing Butler
They only intended to ask his permission to recreate some of his paintings in the shoot, but they were stunned when the elusive artist volunteered to feature in the video.
He made the offer after the band presented him with a copy of the song during a hastily arranged meeting at Edinburgh Airport last Sunday.
Drummer Mark Francis, 31, said: “He rang us up later to tell us he loved the track and also said that he would appear in the music show video. Mr Vettriano then called us later in the week to tell us that he has talked Ian Rankin into getting involved as well.
“We’re delighted that they are both coming to Porty beach. Jack wants to have ‘love’ tattooed on his knuckles – just like in the lyrics of our song.” Guitarist and cellist Ashley Campbell, 28, added: “It’s all just snowballed from when we met him at the weekend. “He had heard of our collaboration with Ian, and we put them in touch with each other for what will be a rather surreal and exciting day for us. “Jack’s agreed to recreate some of the poses from his paintings and he’s going to get Ian to do the same. “The finished video should look great. “Jack’s annoyed they didn’t take us all to Leven beach, which is the inspiration for the beaches in his paintings. I’m sure the Edinburgh Riviera will do just as nicely though.”