Gleneagles Townhouse, the hotel and all-day restaurant in Edinburgh, has launched the latest in its series of unique cultural exhibitions.
Edinburgh-born artist and director David Eustace, in collaboration with The Fine Art Society and Gleneagles Townhouse, presents ‘Memento Mori’ – an exhibition of new work inspired by the perception and inevitability of death – is available to view until 9th October.
Open to members, hotel residents and visitors to The Spence, the venue’s all-day dining restaurant, Eustace’s exhibition follows the success of Gleneagles Townhouse’s first ever photography exhibition in partnership with Soo Burnell, which took place throughout August.
The inspiration for ‘Memento Mori’ dates to 2018, on a visit to Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris with Eustace’s friend and fellow artist, Douglas Gordon. While sitting next to Gertrude Stein’s grave, Eustace collected some leaves in a box which went forgotten until lockdown two years ago.
He began studying decaying plants and flowers and took pictures which then developed into a series. Eustace’s arresting and humbling documentation of decaying flowers serves as a reminder of human’s own immediacy and fragility.
With a diverse background, Eustace began his career serving in the Royal Navy and worked as a Prison Officer at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow. Returning to education he graduated in 1991 and became a masthead contributor to Conde Nast Publications (GQ, Vogue and Tatler).
He has travelled extensively through-out his career and for 15 years was primarily based in NYC. In 2015 Eustace accepted the responsibility of Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, a post he held for six years.
His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally and is included in both private and public collections. Eustace was the first photographic artist to have an exhibition in The Scottish Gallery’s 173-history.
His commercial and personal work often go hand in hand, highlighted by Panasonic when Eustace was approached to star in their global Lumix campaign based around his work and commentary.
He has created campaigns for global clients including Paramount Pictures, Sony, Anthropologie. He also serves as a creative consultant for several companies including recently writing and directing the ‘Precious Time’ campaign for Balblair whisky.
Gleneagles Townhouse said: “David’s work is much admired all around the world, so it is a privilege for us to be showcasing his latest exhibition from our new Edinburgh Townhouse.
“From our early discussions around Townhouse, we knew we wanted to create a series of ongoing events which would showcase the diverse talent on our doorstep to our visitors – whether they were local or from further afield – and we’re thrilled David has joined us on the journey.”