We are very excited to announce that Pop Surrealist artist, Michael Forbes, has created the artwork for this year’s Nairn Book & Arts Festival programme cover!

The artwork is a glorious Pop Art explosion celebrating all things Nairn and the arts, as well as highlighting important issues such as the climate emergency. The bold design also features the legendary entertainer Charlie Chaplin, who was a regular visitor to Nairn with his family, where he enjoyed relaxing summers at the Newton Hotel.

Michael is an almost entirely self-taught Pop Surrealist artist, who lives in an isolated area in the north of the Scottish Highlands. His paintings are an extraordinary visual record of his thoughts and dreams, showing a magical and playful world laced with humour and pop-culture.

Michael said, “I was really thrilled to be asked to create this year’s poster for the festival. It’s an exciting event and I’m excited to play a role in it. My father was a lorry mechanic and many years ago he was working in a lay-by near Nairn, fixing a break down, when a Rolls Royce pulled in. Charlie Chaplin got out to stretch his legs and he chatted to my dad for a short while. I liked the opportunity to once again bring a little piece of Charlie back to the area in poster form, and in memory. I’m looking forward to this year’s festival, especially the wild bull run when 50 wild bulls will be set loose along Nairn’s high street……..what’s that?…oh, OK…that’s been cancelled, well I’m sure it’ll be a great festival regardless.”

We can’t wait to show you what Michael’s created, keep an eye on our website and social media for the big reveal in June!