Artwork being prominently displayed at Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) is the last remaining pieces in a series of works which have been sold to collectors around the globe.
The artwork by award-winning Deeside-based artist, Stephanie Vandem, was created with inspiration from Scottish Highland Games. The full series called ‘Lifting’ included 30 pieces in total, with some privately commissioned, and the five remaining pieces are being displayed at ASV.
With the artwork created to demonstrate a strong sense of struggle, personal endurance, showmanship and cultural identity, the sports village was the ideal city location to boast the popular paintings.
The series, which sell in the region of £2,000 per piece or more for larger items, has gone to collectors in America, Canada and Paris, as well as Glasgow and Edinburgh, with one remaining in Deeside at the Fife Arms in Braemar.
Ms Vandem, who originates from Brazil, said: “I have lived in Aboyne for around 14 years and I have always been inspired by the Highland games and the things that people can do with their bodies. I started studying the dancers and the pipers initially, but one year they were lifting the Dinnie Stones at the Aboyne Games and the endurance, the struggle and the shapes were just perfect for an art subject and that gave me the drive to work on the series.
“The collection proved hugely popular, but I think it is great that the last remaining pieces are being enjoyed in a public space where people who maybe don’t go to galleries can enjoy them. And who knows, maybe they will inspire people to work out more, help people to think differently about their training and encourage them to push harder.”
Mark Lenthall, Marketing Manager at ASV said: “These are superb pieces of art and we are delighted to have them here for people to see, particularly when the rest of the collection has been sold across the world. The concept around the ‘Lifting’ series is a great fit with our facilities, showing what can be achieved with the right training and effort. I am sure people of all ages will enjoy them while they are here, as the artwork is classy and eye-catching.”
The five pieces at ASV, which includes stone-lifting, wrestling and the hammer are on display in the main reception, stairwell and indoor track. Established in 2009, ASV is the largest sporting facility in the North-east and is recognised as one of Scotland’s leading sports and fitness venues.
Stephanie’s paintings can also be found in several international private collections. The artist has painted the Bishop of Aberdeen and, most recently, her work was preselected at the Royal Glasgow Institute and Columbia Threadneedle Prize in London.
