One of Scotland’s best-loved artists who hails from the Vale will feature on a popular BBC programme alongside Tinie Tempah.
Alexandria man Ross Muir appears on BBC1’s Extraordinary Portraits tonight (Monday).
The show sees rapper and passionate collector of art Tinie match members of the public with extraordinary stories to celebrated portrait artists.
The artists are then challenged to turn these personal and powerful experiences into compelling portraits using different mediums of art, from underwater photography to street art.
The former Our Lady and St Patrick’s pupil features in episode five of the series, created by Chatterbox Media, where he paints Jamie Dalgoutte who has gone through the care system.
A BBC teaser explains: “Painter Ross Muir depicts the strength and hope he sees in Jamie Dalgoutte, a young man who went through the care system and is now helping to build a future for himself and others.
“An ability to turn negatives into positives ignites a deep connection between this pair, as Ross shares his own experience of battling drug addiction and discovering his passion to paint.
“Entirely self-taught, Ross uses unconventional methods, taking inspiration from the world of art and music and applying his unique, contemporary twist.”
The Lennox Herald reported on Ross’ talents in 2016 when we revealed him as the mystery artist leaving Glaswegians puzzled and delighted at the same time.
Small artworks made using Tunnock’s teacakes wrappers appeared in the city and took on the form of a variety of animals and birds, bringing smiles to the faces of passers-by.
He is now one of the country’s most-loved artists, known for recreating iconic artworks and imagery with a contemporary twist.
From Adidas tracksuits to witty slogans, the Ross creates prints and paintings inspired by the history of art, with his works paying homage to Vincent van Gogh, Henri Mattise and Pablo Picasso.
In 2018, his original painting of the Dutch impressionist Vincent van Gogh, entitled Square Gogh, went viral within a matter of days.
The image appeared across Glasgow – featuring the words ‘Jist Gogh Hame’ – during the Covid lockdowns and his work was recognised by the official Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands.
Speaking about the show earlier this year, Tinie said: “I wanted to put a spotlight on contemporary British heroes; to hear their stories and help create an opportunity where the world can learn about them and their experience through art.
“Portraits are powerful, and a great way of achieving this, but historically they have been reserved for ‘high society’.
“When a portrait of mine went into the National Portrait Gallery I remember the immense pride, inclusion and acknowledgement I felt.
“ It was unquantifiable. It made me feel like I was part of a change in the narrative, and so I hope the extraordinary people I have met making Extraordinary Portraits feel the same way.”
Anyone who misses the episode can catch up with the show on demand on the BBC iPlayer.
