Grand Hotel Timeo, As Seen By Robbie Lawrence

Robbie Lawrence has traveled the world with his camera in tow. But no matter what dramatic scene he encounters — whether within portraiture, travel, documentary or editorial work, from his native Edinburgh to Sierra Leone and beyond — the artist places the human experience front and centre, creating abstract images that ring with a deep sense of truth.

Combine this thoughtful outlook with his visual style, and the result is striking. Inspired by Dutch Golden Age painters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer, Lawrence’s use of colour adds a sense of drama to his compositions. These 17th-century masters daubed in chiaroscuro — blending hues of warm ochre and orange contrasting with the blackest obsidian — creating a Baroque sensibility of grandeur, richness and depth. 

This approach, coupled with the setting of Taormina with its Ancient Greek theatre, ever-erupting Mount Etna and literary history, lends a drama of volcanic proportions to Lawrence’s latest collection. Having studied painting in both Scotland and New York, it’s no surprise that Lawrence’s work has an inherently painterly quality, with his humanity and observational richness aligning with the energy of Taormina.

Nestled in the heart of this historic city, Grand Hotel Timeo is a seductive retreat and Sicilian stalwart that offers a window into the rich cultural heritage of the city. Harnessing the same mythic energy and historical significance of its location, the hotel is named after the man who founded the Greek city of “Tauromenion” in 358 B.C. A meeting place for intellectuals and literary greats alike, its illustrious heritage now meets the busy conviviality of modern-day living with artistic and enigmatic results.

A short stroll from the hotel brings you to the historical Greek Theatre, where remnants of the past blend seamlessly with the vibrancy of the city: a compelling duet between the ancient and the contemporary. The views of this structure are second-to-none from Timeo; the vista, often enjoyed by hotel guests on the panoramic terrace of Bar Timeo while sipping a signature Etna Spritz, is considered the best in the city. This view extends to the majestic volcano itself and the bay of Naxos, with the vibrant coastal landscape providing a testament to a golden age that has risen from the ashes and continues to thrive. Lawrence’s lens enjoyed a first-row seat to this theatrical spectacle, capturing the horizon shrouded in mist against a burnished orange sky, the crumbling ancient walls, the turquoise Ionian Sea.

Lawrence was the perfect visionary to capture the hotel’s artistic energy and reflect the dramatic reality of the property and its stunning surroundings. His ability to create feeling through observation is a unique characteristic in his work: he states that “light and shade is a structural and storytelling element,” a mantra evidenced in his stunning photographs of Mount Etna in the midst of perennial eruption.

The spectacle, atmosphere and colour captured in Lawrence’s images encapsulates the depth and breadth of this alluring region and iconic residence. His work adds to the invigorating atmosphere of the hotel, which sits at the foot of the town and at the heart of the city, making it a unique experience for travelers seeking to discover the cultural and natural wonders of this iconic destination.

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