An historic painting depicting a campaign that changed the course of the Second World War is on display to mark Remembrance.
St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh is honoured to present Sword Beach (1996) by Joyce W Cairns, one of Scotland’s most significant contemporary artists.
It offers a rare opportunity to reflect on the profound human cost of war and the enduring connections between generations during this period of national remembrance.
Sword Beach is a powerful and deeply personal work exploring the legacy of D-Day through the lens of the “war tourist.”
Created in 1996 following Cairns’ winter journey to Normandy, the painting represents the artist’s attempt to follow in her father’s footsteps and understand the experiences of a man who went to war before she was born.
The work commemorates the momentous events of 6 June 1944, when Allied forces landed on five beaches in Normandy, codenamed Sword, Juno, Gold, Utah and Omaha.
Whilst Cairns’ father did not land with the 3rd Infantry until after a bridgehead had been established, he is memorialised in the painting through his portrait in a locket around the artist’s neck.
The composition also features Bill Millin as he appeared in 1996—the legendary piper who played Lord Lovat’s Commandos onto Sword Beach during the initial landings.
Painted as a series of overlapping images reminiscent of a theatre backdrop, Sword Beach weaves together past and present.
The artist appears holding a Normandy tour battle guide, embodying her role as war tourist navigating sites that witnessed one of history’s most significant military operations.
On display at St Giles’ Cathedral, ABOVE, until 30 November, the painting formed part of Cairns’ major exhibition War Tourist, shown at Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum in 2006.
The artist made history as the first female President of the Royal Scottish Academy in its 193-year history, serving from 2018-2022.
Her autobiographical work, often centred around the old fishing village of Footdee at Aberdeen harbour where she lived and worked for many years, interweaves personal memory with collective experience.
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.
- Joyce W Cairns’s father’s memorabilia, including a silk map of North West Europe (1944) depicted in related paintings, is held in the Museums of Scotland collection
- Two large paintings based on this memorabilia are currently featured in Maps: Memories from the Second World War at the National War Museum, Edinburgh Castle (9 March 2024 – 4 October 2026)