IT may be no Van Gogh but a tapestry entitled Broken Linen Line 1 is one of the pieces Scottish Parliament bosses have splashed out £10,000 on to go on display in the Holyrood building.
Despite the recession, the parliament's cross-party corporate body agreed to the purchase of a tapestry by award-winning Edinburgh artist Sara Brennan along with a photograph by Glasgow-based Mark Neville. The parliament has also acquired three other
photographs on loan from Mr Neville.
Aside from the inevitable debate over the artistic merit of the pieces, some Parliament insiders fear the move looks extravagant in these straitened times.
One source said: "It's not a huge amount of money, but not everyone thinks it's a good idea to be spending money on art in the current economic situation."
The works of art – which together cost £9950 – are due to go up in the Parliament next month.
Broken Linen Line 1 is said to draw its inspiration from the landscape and reflect the artist's interest in the horizon and its changing appearance due to varying weather conditions. Ms Brennan, who studied at Edinburgh College of Art, has been commissioned previously to produce work for the First Minister's Office.
Mr Neville's photographs, Fancy Pictures, are described as exploring the relationship between landowners and farmers and re-interpreting the "fancy picture", a style of painting designed to communicate a family's wealth and power.
Holyrood has already built up an art collection valued at £500,000, but it has also run into controversy by refusing to acquire Edinburgh sculptor Ronald Rae's Lion of Scotland despite popular demand.
Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat MSP Margaret Smith, who campaigned for the lion, said she would not argue all the parliament's art had to be popular and accessible.
"There is a place for modern and abstract art as well," she said. "I would like to see a mixture – but I don't think we've had that so far.
"The lion is accessible and a bit of fun, but recognisably Scottish and links the parliament into its surroundings."
A spokeswoman said: "This is the first purchase by the Scottish Parliament's Corporate Body this session. The relatively modest purchase and loan of these pieces means that we continue to support and showcase artists of Scotland and work relevant to Scottish audiences in the public parts of our building."
Lothians Green MSP Robin Harper, convener of the parliament's art advisory group,
said: "It's a tiny amount to spend on art for the parliament in two years. I would like to have seen more money available."
He added "It's as important to support artists through thin times as it is to support jobs in the health service or manufacturing."
He described the tapestry as "absolutely wonderful", adding: "The Parliament building is fairly abstract in its concept and abstract art fits in very well."
