John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture
John Bellany, CBE, RA, is one of the most significant painters of modern times. He was born in Port Seton, the son and grandson of fishermen, and his art regularly features fish and seaside themes. The assembled works on display will include paintings, drawings, prints and sketchbooks from the 1960s to 2103 when he died. He was a prolific artist and in particular he drew many self-portraits almost to the point of obsession. His work helped him to explore personal and universal themes and he often depicted himself as a mythical figure or fantastical character.
Some of the exhibition includes art which has never been on public display before, and which is on loan from collections both public and private, as well as some from the artist's estate.
His work is on display in many places worldwide including MOMA in New York and the Metropolitan Museum there, and the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut which has a vast collection of art in lofty airy rooms.
The works will span his whole career. and there will be a book to accompany the exhibition. This will include a foreword by John Bellany's widow, Helen and essays by Sandy Moffat who was a contemporary at Edinburgh College of Art, and Bill Hare who have curated the exhibition.
John Bellany died in 2013 and he is buried in Dean Cemetery, near the National Galleries of Scotland the Modern.
Event Programme Highlights
Lectures:
Thursday 31 July, 2pm – 3pm: A Life-Long Friendship
A reflection on the enduring friendship between John Bellany and Sandy Moffat. Sandy will discuss Bellany's boyhood in Port Seton, their time together at Edinburgh College of Art, his turbulent London years and final years in Italy will all be explored.
Thursday 14 August, 2pm – 3pm: 'I don't borrow – I steal': John Bellany and the Art of Visual Quotation
Bill Hare will explore Bellany's technique of incorporating visual references from European art history into his own distinctive style, creating rich, multi-layered works.
Thursday 21 August, 2pm – 3pm: Time Will Tell
Reading from her critically acclaimed memoir, The Restless Wave, Helen Bellany will talk about her enduring relationship with John Bellany.
Wednesday 24 September, 2pm – 3pm: The Bellany Sketchbooks
Helen Bellany will lead exclusive exploration of Bellany's private sketchbooks, which reveal the raw, personal side of his creative process.
In Conversation:
Thursday 10 July, 2pm: John Bellany: In Conversation with Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat
Join the curators for a conversation about Bellany's artistic journey, his impact on Scottish art, and the special connection they had with him.
Gallery Tours:
Monday 11 August, 2pm – 3pm: Gallery Tour with Curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat
An intimate guided tour of the exhibition with the curators, offering expert insight into Bellany's work and career.
Saturday 23 August, 2pm – 3pm: Gallery Tour with Curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat
Another opportunity to experience the exhibition with the curators, who will discuss the life and art of John Bellany in detail.
Described Tours and BSL Tours:
Friday 15 August, 11am – 12pm: BSL Interpreted Tour of 'John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture'
A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted tour, offering a deeper understanding of Bellany's artistic journey for the Deaf community.
Friday 15 August, 2pm – 3pm: Described Tour for the Visually Impaired of 'John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture'
A guided tour specifically designed for visitors with visual impairments, offering detailed descriptions of the artworks on display.
Adult Creative Workshops:
Saturday 12 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm: Self-Portraiture in Ink and Watercolour
A hands-on workshop exploring Bellany's techniques, encouraging participants to create their own self-portraits using ink and watercolour.
Saturday 9 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm: From Sketchbook to Masterpiece
A workshop that delves into the process behind Bellany's iconic works, guiding participants through transforming initial sketches into finished art.
John Bellany, 'Sad Self-Portrait', 1976. © The Estate of John Bellany
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At the front gates we were welcomed by a friendly bellhop who immediately took our luggage and escorted us inside, our jaws dropping as we took in the impressive interior, reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel. There was no need for checking-in, I'd already done that on the handy app which activated our in-app key - buzzing us in with the same ease as Google Pay allows us to spend money. From the decor to the impeccably dressed staff, for whom nothing was too much trouble, this place felt rather like returning to a time when customers were treated as esteemed guests. As we entered our room, or more accurately, our suite, it was another in a long series of 'wow' moments. We stayed at the brand new Efteling Grand Hotel and it was pure luxury | Jamie Jones / National World Definitely more like an apartment than a hotel room, a short hallway led us through to a lounge complete with mini bar and views across the iconic entrance. 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Dinner on our first night was at the Brasserie 7 which we were informed was the more informal option of the hotel's two restaurants - nevertheless it was still pretty fancy. More of that good old fashioned service was lavished upon us as we experienced a three course meal with a twist - incorporating seven magical ingredients including dragon's breath and fairy dust. And that wasn't the only magical moment during the meal - to keep young ones entertained between courses, the most adorable lift pixie joined our table, playing a quick game of noughts and crosses with my two children and making us all chuckle so much my six-year-old declared, 'my face hurts from smiling!' Absolutely pooped from a long day, we turned in for the night in the most comfortable bed known to man, but returned to Brasserie 7 the following morning for breakfast. There can surely be no better place to fill up ready for a day of adventure than this place, serving not only every breakfast food you can imagine but those you hadn't thought of as well. Continental and cooked breakfast options, you would need to stay at least a week if you wanted to sample all of the variety they have on offer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jamie Jones / National World With a full day ahead of us we tried to cram in as much as possible, and cram we did with my 10-year-old telling me by the end it felt like we had passed days in the park since stepping out that morning. This is only made possible due to the short queues everywhere - forget lining up for hours for your favourite rides, we mostly waited no longer than 10 minutes, and a couple of times went straight back round to rejoin the end of the queue to experience a ride all over again. 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Beneath the Efteling Grand Hotel lies more magic, an underground world with pool and spa that was the perfect spot to ease tired muscles after all that walking - families of all ages have been catered for there with a baby pool, just a few centimetres deep complete with floating toys, a toddler pool, deeper swimming pool and whirlpool. The spa offers a steam bath, sauna and ice cold shower, and has an extra room for massages too. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What made the experience even more enjoyable is the fluffy bathrobes and slippers in every room mean you can get ready for your swim there, taking the lift straight down to the spa, and when you're finished, there's no wrestling children out of soggy lycra in a small changing room, instead we simply donning the bathrobe and slippers once again and got dry and dressed in the comfort of our own suite. I find little things like this make all the difference when travelling with kids. After smartening ourselves for dinner, we headed for the refined Restaurant & Bar Mystique, and because no corner of Efteling is free from the strange and unusual, there we experienced an evening-long culinary journey quite unlike any other. First up, there isn't really a menu - you instead choose a selection of flavours by placing small stones on a slate found in the centre of the table and the chef just works with that. And if that's not strange and unusual enough for you, well, let's just say we buttered our bread using the [butter] candle which had just moments before been illuminating our table. While described as a three course meal, plate after plate of appetisers and palette cleansers were served, so many I eventually lost count. These small amuse bouche were as adorable as they were delicious, from tiny crispy tacos to sauces served from a teapot by a chef - the meal was totally weird and absolutely wonderful. The dining experience offered here is recommended for children aged 9+ - maybe due to the time it takes to move through all those plates of food - but the attention of even my youngest was held for the most part due to the anticipation of what was to come next. Both children gave most things a try, despite some of the combinations and flavours being, perhaps, for a more discerning palate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While they didn't clean every plate - which I absolutely did by the way - I was pleased they both got to try a range of food they probably wouldn't have chosen for themselves otherwise, opening their minds to different culinary possibilities in the future I hope. And they absolutely wolfed down their mains and desserts, everyone leaving the table stuffed and thoroughly entertained. This was a meal that got all of us talking and laughing together and was genuinely one of the most fun meals we've ever sat down to and - along with the delicious food - that is not something that should be overlooked. Our day finished in the most spectacular way, heading out to the Aquanura Water show. This show of water and light was akin to a fireworks display without the horrible bangs and was, in the truest sense of the word, awesome. A 14-minute musical journey through Efteling, it was the perfect way to wrap up our day at the park. Efteling theme park is brilliantly bonkers with a surprise around every corner offering memories that will last a lifetime | Jamie Jones / National World Staggered by quite how much we'd managed to cram into the previous 12 hours, we sunk into our beds and slept solidly until morning. We awoke to our final morning at Efteling, travelling home later that day, so we filled up again with a hearty breakfast and headed out. Making full use of our half-an-hour early access to the park, we headed for the Piraña - a rapid river ride which the day before had a 30-minute queue, and were able to go on twice before any crowds arrived. We laughed until our sides hurt - mostly at how wet my husband had managed to get on Piraña - and then went to get one last sweet treat before the journey home. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I couldn't leave before making one or two purchases in the luxury boutique store within the hotel where you can pick up many of the items you see around the hotel, one of those fluffy bath robes for example, along with jewellery and quality dressing up options for the children. I was unable to resist taking a little of my holiday home with me, picking up some of the shampoo and conditioner I had used in the spa following my swim, as well as an 'ambiance trigger' which is the exclusive fragrance made for and used at the hotel that you can spray around when you get home and imagine you are still there. Efteling really is bonkers, but it is brilliantly bonkers. Somewhere you can't help but enjoy, a place to make memories with the family full of laughter and nonsense. And with the new addition of the Efteling Grand Hotel, mums and dads, and grandparents too, can soak up a little luxury amid the madness. There was so much more we didn't have time to see and do there, the vastness of the place means you can fill your days and still not get around to everything, so, I guess that just means we'll have to go back. Sigh. In the meantime, fetch me that ambiance trigger…
