Students set to compete in art competition in homage to the 19th century Scottish novelist who once lived in townhouse, now part of iconic hotel
InterContinental Edinburgh The George Hotel – part of IHG Hotels & Resorts – has launched a competition for students at the Edinburgh College of Art – University of Edinburgh offering budding artists the opportunity to paint a piece of history, marking the 200th anniversary of the release of Susan Ferrier’s novel, ‘The Inheritance’.
Launched ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD), students from the renowned art school have been commissioned to create an exclusive piece of artwork which celebrates the novel, originally released in 1824 and considered to be the author’s greatest work, as well as the hotel’s unique connection to Susan Ferrier.
A novelist of the Scottish Enlightenment, who sold more books than Jane Austen in her lifetime, but whose legacy has been less known to 21st century audiences, once resided in one of the townhouses which now makes up the InterContinental Edinburgh The George. A successful business woman and intellectual, Susan Ferrier challenged gender stereotypes of her time and was recognised for her writing by the likes of Sir Walter Scott.
Located at No. 25 George Street, the Ferrier family home was well known amongst Edinburgh intellectual circles during the 18th century, with Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns frequently visiting. Scotland’s national bard even penned a poem to the Ferrier sisters.
‘The Inheritance’ tells the story of the young heroine Gertrude as she arrives in the Scottish estate of Lord Rossville to take up her position as his heiress, but finds herself in the middle of a gallery of humorous and eccentric characters — and at the centre of a mystery. The novel is concerned with questions of morality and education, in particular, a woman’s role in marriage and education.
The book also references national identity and the differences between Scottish and English cultures in the aftermath of the Union of 1707 and the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745.
To mark the bicentennial of the novel’s publication, InterContinental Edinburgh The George has worked closely with ECA to create a brief to help inspire students. As well as becoming part of the hotel’s heritage, the winning artist will also receive a purchase price for their artwork, which will be displayed within the hotel lounge for the months of July and August, before being permanently installed in the hotel’s Ferrier Suite.
An overnight stay in the Ferrier Suite and dinner in the hotel’s restaurant Le Petit Beefbar will also be included for the winning artist whose work will be chosen by a panel from both The George Hotel and ECA.
Stephanie Lee, Director of Sales at InterContinental Edinburgh The George Hotel, said: “Partnering with the Edinburgh College of Art on this innovative competition to pay tribute to Susan Ferrier while raising awareness of her wonderful work and talent mirrors InterContinental’s deep respect for the arts.
“Edinburgh has a long lineage of producing world-class creatives and the fact that one of its most talented daughters is celebrating a milestone anniversary, deserves to be commemorated.
“We’re excited to see the student’s interpretations of ‘The Inheritance’ and what it represents for them through their art. We’re even more excited to see the winning painting displayed in the Ferrier Suite for guests from around the world to see. We wish all students the best of luck and can’t wait to see the entries honouring Susan Ferrier’s life and work.”
Susan Mowatt, Head of School of Art, University of Edinburgh; “The Ferrier Painting Award launched by Intercontinental The George to celebrate the achievements of the novelist and publisher Susan Ferrier, is a brilliant opportunity for our art students which will see the selected painting commissioned and installed in the original Ferrier rooms. A really exciting public project.”
The competition, which is being run directly with students at ECA, will close in May 2024 with the winner being announced shortly afterwards.