Founded in London by Scottish artist and storyteller Grace Lambert-Phillips in 2020, The Lambert Phillips Foundation is dedicated to preserving and celebrating art, culture, and the power of storytelling through photography, film, and the written word. Born from a vision to nurture creative communities during a time of global upheaval, the foundation supports artists and human stories that might otherwise go unheard.
Now based in Tuscany, the foundation is currently collaborating with a community of artists and creators on projects that honour Italy’s rich cultural heritage. Its flagship initiative, the development of a cultural space at Villa La Posta—an 18th-century villa in Monteriggioni, Tuscany—will serve as a vibrant hub for creativity and artistic exchange.
Current projects include Reimagining the Grand Tour, a contemporary photographic journey through Italy, and Only The Deepest Red, a memoir by Grace Lambert-Phillips reflecting on her time as muse to the late artist Jack Vettriano.
GRACE LAMBERT-PHILLIPS
Grace shares stories of connection and culture through her lens, documenting life with an unwavering dedication to the art of photography. Her journey into photography began in Scotland, where, as a young student, she developed a deep appreciation for the raw, experiential process of working with film and quickly became devoted to the visual poetry of street photography. This laid the foundation for a career devoted to storytelling through images.
Grace’s career took a defining turn in 2000 during a serendipitous meeting with renowned artist Jack Vettriano in Scotland. She photographed a series of portraits of Vettriano and, in turn, became his muse, contributing to his paintings and exchanging creative expressions. Her collaboration with Vettriano marked the beginning of a broader artistic journey, earning her a reputation as a visual storyteller.
In 2018, she was invited by the London-based charity Youmanity to explore the theme of suicide through her work. This collaboration resulted in What Does Friendship Mean to You?, a compelling series of portraits and dialogues on human connection. These powerful pieces were exhibited in Westminster and displayed at London’s DLR stations throughout 2019 and 2021, sparking deep reflections on the importance of friendship and mental health.
In 2020, Grace founded The Lambert Phillips Foundation, a platform for her ongoing commitment to storytelling through visual art. Through the foundation, she continues to expand her portfolio of documentary photography, capturing the rich cultural history of Europe. Now spending much of her time in Tuscany, Grace is currently working on her first book, Only the Deepest Red, which recounts her personal journey and connection with Vettriano, exploring themes of freedom while addressing vital topics such as tourism and the preservation of Italy’s cultural heritage.
