Cairns’ painting, which commemorates the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944, explores the legacy of D-Day through the lens of the ‘war tourist’.
The work, which is Cairns’ attempt to make sense of a war her father fought in before she was born, weaves together images from the past and present in a series of overlapping images.
‘Mad piper’ Bill Millin, who played the bagpipes as soldiers stormed Sword Beach during the landings, is depicted in the painting as he was in 1996, 52 years after D-Day.
A statement by the Church of Scotland, who operate the Cathedral, reads: “This exhibition marks the second in a series showcasing the work of outstanding Scottish painters at St Giles’ Cathedral.
“It is committed to providing a unique platform for exceptional Scottish art, creating opportunities for reflection and dialogue between artistic expression and spiritual contemplation.
“Building on the success of this initiative, St Giles’ hopes to continue presenting significant works by Scotland’s leading artists in the future, enriching the cultural life of Edinburgh and offering visitors meaningful encounters with Scotland’s rich artistic heritage.”
The painting will be on display at St Giles until 30 November.
Speaking around the time of the ‘War Tourist’ exhibition, which opened at Aberdeen Art Gallery in 2006, Cairns said: “These are not war paintings but memory paintings.
“They are not intended, nor could they ever be, a full history of conflict in the twentieth century; rather my response is like that of a tourist as I dip in and out of locations and periods only making work when I discover that crucial emotional link.”
