Alison Kinnaird MBE recently completed a major commission for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery - the Donor Window, installed in July to coincide with an opening by the Queen as part of her Jubilee tour of Scotland (see image below).

The Donor Window was the only new work of art commissioned as part of the refurbishment of the Gallery, and recognises the generosity of individuals, charitable trusts and organisations who made major contributions to the project.

It includes 13 portraits, including that of HM the Queen, as well as symbolic bouquets of flowers which represent the trusts and corporate donors. Alison drew and engraved the portraits, using an innovative technique that she developed especially for this project.

The window measures 3m high and 1.5m wide, and was assembled and installed by Patrick Ross-Smith from Shetland. It can be seen on the second floor of the Gallery, next to the original Victorian Sponsors' Window, which dates from 1891.

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is five minutes’ walk from Princes Street on Queen Street (round the corner from Harvey Nichols).

Alison Kinnaird has an international reputation as a visual artist and musician. One of the world's leading engravers, Alison has work in public, royal and private collections throughout Europe, America and the Far East. The glass ranges from small intimate pieces to architectural installations which incorporate light and colour. In 1997 Alison was presented with an M.B.E. for services to art and music.

A short film has recently been made about the project and Alison Kinnaird's development as an artist, which can be viewed on Alison Kinnaird's website.