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Sign of the Times

Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed offers a message of hope to guests arriving at the recently reopened Fife Arms.

If ever the world was in need of a little reassurance, it’s now. As the global pandemic continues to impact every aspect of daily life, business leaders, economists and the general public alike are on the lookout for signs that normal service will soon resume. One such sign has come in the form of a particularly poignant art installation at The Fife Arms – the Braemar hotel owned by gallerists Iwan and Manuela Wirth.

Created by Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed, ‘Work No. 3435: Everything is Going to be Alright’ sits in the grounds of Braemar Castle and marks the reopening of the hotel following its Covid closure. The phrase has been used by the artist in a series of large-scale neon works since 1999 and draws on the comforting words Creed was offered by a friend. “If you are upset and someone speaks to you to try to help you, even if the words are empty because no one knows what is going to happen in the future, it can still feel like a comfort,” he explains. “No-one can really tell you everything is going to be alright, but despite that, many times in my life I have been very comforted by people saying something like that to me.”

Designed by Russell Sage in 2018, The Fife Arms is known for its art; over 16,000 works have been integrated into the scheme, each with a tale to tell. “Our art collection never fails to delight, surprise and intrigue our guests,” notes General Manager Federica Bertolini. “The installation of ‘Everything is Going to be Alright’ in the open air is an extension of our collection – and a celebration of our glorious setting in the Cairngorms. It will also be a very thought-provoking, but reassuring and smile-making, welcome to the village.”

© Sim Canetty-Clarke

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