The photographic still life art print titled "John Balliol: Puppet King" is a striking and thought-provoking composition that skillfully conveys the tragic tale of John Balliol, a Scottish king known as 'Toom Tabard' or 'the empty jacket' due to his puppet-like reign under the dominance of the English crown. The artwork is a captivating blend of symbolism and storytelling that unfolds in a visually arresting manner. This image invites viewers to reflect on the tragic history of a king who became a pawn in a larger political game. Through the clever use of symbolic elements, it cleverly captures the essence of a period in history when power was lost and sovereignty was but an empty garment.
Scotland's Chequered Throne Collection®
This image is one of 15 images from the Scotland's Chequered Throne® collection about the Scottish monarchs through a series of levitation photographs showing the sacrifices and the triumphs of the succession of the Scottish Monarchs. Each player has their own story to tell from the defining of the Scottish English Border to the union of the crowns of Scotland and England and everything in between. This collection is a journey through history as the stories unfold through these magical and distinctive photographs that incorporate playing cards, a chessboard, and unique pieces of art. All 15 images are listed so you can collect as many as you want!
Awards
This collection has been awarded an associate distinction from the Royal Photographic Society in 2020.
A smaller panel of 4 images about the Wars of Independence received an honourable mention in the Annual Photography Awards (APA) in 2021.
