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David’s storytelling works frequently offer homage to –and parody – the classics of the silver screen. This series also hints at David’s own Scottish heritage, which he puts to full use as he highlights the glories of the landscape through an understanding of Scottish topography and light. Reflecting on the shot titled Skyfall, David stated “this photograph is personal. Scotland is my home and I think we did Glencoe proud.”
The shots play on the classic ‘Bond Girl’ figure, with a locally-inspired and revealing costume that suggests an anonymous femme fatale and pin-up girl in equal measure. The scenes place the characters – and, of course, the all-important Aston Martin – within the grand context of the soaring landscape and bruised Scottish sky.
The shoot took place near the entrance to Glen Etive road, close to the estate of Bond Author Ian Fleming’s nephew – the location that Mendes used in Skyfall.
David provided further insights and colourful commentary on the shoot:
“Glencoe offers one of Scotland’s grandest locations, especially at the denouement of a winter storm. The cone shaped volcanic monolith of Buachaille Etive stands proud at the entrance as if it was a white hatted sentry guarding the national treasures in the glen beyond.
“This is the celebrated gateway to the Scottish Highlands and a land known not just for its natural beauty, but for its bloody past, particularly the Clan feuds between the MacDonalds and the Campbells. The drive through Glencoe encourages a silent historical musing as intense as any road I know in the world. Shit happened here.
"But there is also an untamed regality to the region that has long drawn filmmakers and, of course, this goes full circle, as this remote part of the world has long been associated with the Fleming family...”
Three of the four works in this series are available as both black and white and colour editions. You can see read more of David's behind-the-scenes details and view each artwork via the link below.
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