Born in Glasgow, David Yarrow has become one of the world's most recognised and collected fine art photographers. His career has taken him from the world of international sport photography to some of the most remote corners of the natural world, creating an extraordinary portfolio of images along the way. At Watson Art Gallery, we're particularly proud to represent David in his home country as his only Scottish gallery, and to have built such a wonderful relationship with his work and the collectors who appreciate it.
David's photography spans two quite distinct approaches. His celebrated Storytelling works are carefully conceived, cinematic productions, often featuring well-known actors and models in elaborate settings. Each image is constructed around a narrative, with meticulous attention to atmosphere, composition and detail. Alongside these are his Natural World photographs, a collection building and growing from his earlier wildlife photography. Here, the emphasis is on capturing animals in their natural environments, responding to the landscape and the unpredictable moments that unfold within it.
The contrast between the two is fascinating. One is driven by design, preparation and intention; the other requires patience, adaptability and an ability to work with the world as it presents itself. David has mastered both, and the interplay between them is a big part of what makes his portfolio so compelling. There is always something new to discover, whether it's an unexpected encounter in the wild or an ambitious new visual story.
As his Scottish gallery, we have the pleasure of introducing David's work to collectors across the country, as well as welcoming those who have followed his career for many years. We always make a point of keeping a selection of David's works on display, as seeing these pieces in person is essential to appreciating their incredible scale, detail and impact. However, once or twice a year we take things a step further with a dedicated focus exhibition, bringing a much wider selection of his portfolio into the gallery.
Our recent exhibition, which took us from the end of summer into autumn, was a particularly memorable few weeks. These occasions bring together a wonderful mix of people: established David Yarrow collectors, long-standing admirers, and local friends and family who are always keen to see what he's been working on. We particularly enjoyed meeting several people who had been part of the crowd during David's recent Turnberry storytelling shoot (and who may have met our Art Director Bob there too - keep an eye on the background!) celebrating the world of Scottish golf. Just as importantly, these exhibitions introduce David's work to people discovering it for the first time, and we love having the chance to help them explore his work.
Choosing a David Yarrow work is often the beginning of a much longer relationship with the collection. His portfolio is extensive, and finding the right image for an individual collector can be a wonderfully rewarding process. We enjoy spending time with clients exploring the different collections, discussing the stories behind particular shoots and helping them find a piece that feels right for their home or workplace.
We also offer a range of services to help make that decision easier. Our visualisation service allows clients to see how a particular photograph might look on their own walls, which is especially useful when considering the impressive scale of many of David's works. For local collectors, we personally deliver and install pieces, making sure they are positioned to have the impact they deserve. Sometimes that relationship continues long after the original purchase: we've been invited back to help reposition works following a house move or redesign, ensuring that much-loved photographs remain a central part of a home. On one memorable occasion, Bob even accompanied a client to help install their David Yarrow collection in a new holiday home abroad!
Ultimately, it's this ongoing relationship with both the artist and his collectors that makes representing David Yarrow so important to us. We're proud to bring his work to audiences in Scotland, and to help collectors find, enjoy and live with artworks that have become some of the most recognisable images in contemporary fine art photography.
Whether you're already familiar with David's work or are discovering it for the first time, we'd love to welcome you into Watson Art Gallery to explore his portfolio in person.