Landmark Highland buildings such as Eden Court and Hootananny’s depicted in a city art exhibition in shopping centre by artist Heather Afrin
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Familiar buildings such as Eden Court Theatre and Hootananny’s music venue are depicted in a city art exhibition.
Artist Heather Afrin is showcasing 20 colourful watercolour and ink paintings at the community gallery in the Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Ms Afrin, who is intrigued by buildings, has used artistic licence to provide a unique but recognisable interpretation of familiar properties, villages, and townscapes from across the Highlands and Islands.
“As life slowly returns to normal, I feel very lucky to have been supported by Eastgate and hope that the many centre visitors enjoy my work on display,” she said.
Ms Afrin added: “Buildings have always intrigued me, particularly older buildings with a mix of materials – old stone, worn wood, slate of different colours, imperfect lines, all telling a story of many years of living.
“I use artistic licence to find the unique human touches in the construction, sometimes incorporating squint windows and wibbly corners, where in reality they are eye-sight straight.
“This adds to the life and personality of the building in a way that precise architectural drawings are unable to.”
Kirstin Gault, Eastgate’s digital and marketing executive, said the paintings – featuring places such as Eden Court Theatre, Hootananny’s, Achnagairn Castle and Bridge of Carr – would raise a smile of recognition and encourage locals to revisit these familiar places.
“They’ll also be a source of inspiration for tourists visiting the Highland and Islands,” she said.
Ms Gault said the image of Dores Inn, on the shores of Loch Ness, had inspired her to make a return visit to the beach.
Ms Afrin’s paintings will be displayed until September 30 and will be followed by an exhibition of photographs of skyscapes with a focus on positivity and beauty by pupils at Inverness Royal Academy.
READ: Highland artist to showcase talent at shopping centre
Lockdown images captured by Alison White
