CAPTURING THE SOUL OF SIR WALTER SCOTT
Kristy Ashton
To me, the art of storytelling through photography has always been inseparable companions. Being a photographer, I am mindful of the incredible power an image holds to evoke an emotional response in the viewer, urging them to pause, reflect or immerse themselves in the narrative that I aim to convey.
While I have always been aware of Sir Walter Scott and vaguely familiar with his stories and their influence on Scottish culture, it wasn’t until my partner Richard started reading Scott’s novels and recounting them during our morning dog strolls that I was ‘properly introduced’. That marked the instant I fell in love with his writing and the enduring relevance of his stories. I was compelled to capture this essence through my lens, giving birth to ‘The Auld Romantics project’.
These series of images are inspired by some of his most colourful and iconic figures and aim to pay a nostalgic and romantic homage to Scott and his contribution to the development of Scottish and World literature. Each character represents a gateway to a story that shaped a vision of a nation and an understanding of its people. So far in our collection there is the rugged yet charismatic Rob Roy (‘Rob Roy’), the graceful and determined Catherine Glover (‘Fair Maid of Perth’), the endearing Rose Bradwardine (‘Waverley’), and the unwaveringly virtuous Jeanie Dean (‘Heart of Midlothian’).
I hope that through these photographic artworks, a new and revived appreciation of Scott and his literary genius can be rediscovered and ignite the imagination for a new generation.
To see more of our work please visit us at www.theauldromantics.com
This article first appeared in PRISMA, Issue 9.