A sculpture consisting of seven giant stainless steel keyholes is to become the star attraction at the Edinburgh Art Festival.

The work, by leading Scottish artist Jim Lambie, is to be installed at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh following a £45,000 allocation from the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festival Expo Fund.

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said the "world-renowned" work would draw visitors to the capital.


"This artwork will be appreciated by art lovers living in Scotland as well as the many people visiting Edinburgh for the festivals," she said.

"Bringing work of this calibre to the Edinburgh festivals will further cement the capital's renowned reputation as a place of cultural and artistic excellence."

Joanne Brown, Director of Edinburgh Art Festival, said the festival prided itself on its wide-ranging programme of specially curated exhibitions.

"When looking for a work to show as part of the Expo initiative we wanted one that would complement the exhibitions programme and bring a new dimension to the festival," she said. "The Edinburgh Art Festival is the ideal context for the premiere of this new version of a work by one of the country's most admired contemporary artists."

The sculpture will be unveiled to the public on 31 July.

(GK/NS)