Tag: billboards

Alberta Whittle: All About Love

Works by Alberta Whittle to be exhibited across Edinburgh on a series of large scale billboards

From 11th – 17th December 2023 artworks by Scottish Barbadian artist Alberta Whittle are to be exhibited across Edinburgh on a series of large scale billboards and advertising spaces as part of BUILDHOLLYWOOD’s UK-wide ‘All About Love’ commission curated by Zarina Rossheart.

The public art project celebrates the legacy of All About Love, the seminal text by cultural critic, feminist theorist and author bell hooks. The iteration in Edinburgh with Alberta Whittle is realised in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland.  

Against the backdrop of political and social turbulence, Alberta invites us to come together to confront difficult truths from both the past and our present times, in order to find collective healing. Often drawing on profoundly personal materials, poetic imagery, and intimate stories, Alberta’s message is ultimately one of hope; hope for a different future, and a call for us to ‘invest in love’.

The works in this outdoor exhibition, taking place in 12 locations across Edinburgh including Market Street, Newhaven, Haymarket and Leith, are drawn from original watercolours featured in Alberta Whittle’s largest solo exhibition to date at the National Galleries of Scotland. Free to visit, Alberta Whittle: create dangerously is open at Modern One until 7th January 2024.

The central work of the city takeover titled Invest in Love comes from a series of new watercolours by Alberta currently on display in the National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One.

Inscribed in hand-painted script, the work acts both as a direct call to action and as a reminder to audiences (and herself) to bring love into the everyday – love for the self and love for others.

Alberta has used this phrase on a number of occasions throughout her career including in her solo presentation at La Biennale di Venezia in 2022 where she represented Scotland.

Other messages in the billboard series include Fill your heart with hope and Step lightly, tender encouragements by the artist that come in the spirit of love, care and hope.

These are situated alongside more defiant and rebellious calls such as Raise the alarm, as well as Create Dangerously, a reference to Haitian writer Edwidge Danticat and their meditation on the lived experience of an immigrant artist, telling stories of those that have managed to thrive and create in spite of the harrowing events they have gone through.

Alberta Whittle says: ‘I return to bell hooks time and time again. She reminds us to centre love in how we move through the world and to replenish ourselves in our active learning with others.

“Living in the catastrophe of racial and cultural violence, we need to hold onto love with all our hearts. Invest in love.”

The works, which are shown as small watercolours in the NGS exhibition, will be presented  as large-scale billboards for the first time. The block colour used in the works displayed for this new project is the ultramarine blue drawn from the wall colour used at NGS where Invest in Love is hanging.

Alberta Whittle’s billboard takeover is the final in a series of BUILDHOLLYWOOD’s UK-wide ‘All About Love’ commissions that have taken place across 2023 featuring works of artists: Grace Ndiritu in Birmingham; Jasleen Kaur in Glasgow; Eve Stainton in Manchester; Helen Cammock in Brighton and Asmaa Jama in Bristol. 

Zarina Rossheart, the project’s curator explains: “‘All About Love project was conceived as an invitation for artists and audiences to come together in communion and to look at love as a radical tool for resistance while living in the violent world and society collectively overtaken by pain and grief.

“Alberta Whittle has consistently encouraged us to ‘Invest in Love’, one of the tender and inspiring messages that will appear on the billboards across Edinburgh this December. I am excited to work with Alberta and the National Galleries of Scotland to present these works in the city large-scale for the first time.’

BUILDHOLLYWOOD Founder Tim Horrox says: ‘The journey of our first major UK wide curatorial and artist commission has enabled us to explore the concept of Love, through artists celebrating cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Brighton and Bristol.

“We are now delighted to be presenting such important works by Alberta Whittle in Edinburgh – we are honoured to work with Alberta and look forward to audiences engaging with her work this December.’

Graduation with a twist!

Edinburgh Napier celebrates graduates of 2020 and 2021

  • Edinburgh Napier celebrates the graduates of 2020 and 2021 by taking over the capital for a graduation with a twist
  • A unique city-wide takeover will showcase Edinburgh Napier’s graduate names across billboards, bus stops, trams and more

With physical graduation ceremonies being cancelled for the second year in a row, Edinburgh Napier University is today (26th July 2021) launching their ‘city takeover’ to celebrate the success of hundreds of students who missed out on their traditional graduation ceremonies.  

The names of the University’s recent graduates will cover billboards, bus stops, a classic Edinburgh taxi and even a tram in tribute to those who were unable to receive their degree at the Usher Hall because of the pandemic. 

This summer’s graduation ceremonies and last year’s summer and autumn ceremonies were all cancelled due to Covid-19 related restrictions, disappointing students who had put in years of hard work only to be denied their traditional day of celebration. 

However, the University was determined to find alternative ways to salute the achievements of the graduates of 2020 and 2021, who had overcome the most challenging study conditions in living memory to reach their goals. 

The city takeover, from July to late August, will see the names of graduates from all six academic Schools displayed across 18 billboards and 100 bus stops, accompanied by messages underlining the University’s pride in them and offering congratulations on their success.  

Strategically placed around the capital, graduates can find their names via the ‘Find My Billboard’ feature on the University website by using their student number to pinpoint the site displaying their name. 

Locations will be linked to academic disciplines: School of Health & Social Care names will be near hospitals, School of Arts & Creative Industries names near arts venues and School of Computing names near tech industry sites. 

The takeover campaign will be captured on film and complemented by social media coverage with dedicated #NapierNames and local radio advertising.

Students who missed out on the traditional day of celebration at the Usher Hall are also getting the chance to come on to the Craiglockhart campus to have gowned-up pictures with family and friends taken by the University’s regular graduation services partner so they have a permanent souvenir. 

Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal & Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “The last 16 months have presented students with formidable challenges as they have had to adjust to different ways of learning while coping with all of the disruption the pandemic has caused to our normal way of life. 

“Our graduates have shown enormous resilience and strength of character in completing their studies during this period of upheaval and we wanted to show them just how proud we are of what they have achieved. 

“It’s a huge achievement to graduate and we wanted to give students the same euphoria you get when your names called out on stage.” 

CASE STUDIES 

Hayley Kane, 24, BSc Animal and Conservation Biology graduate 

A student who was diagnosed with a rare cancer at a key point in her studies has successfully graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a first class honours degree. 

Hayley Kane recovered from the devastating news, and two operations, to complete her BSc (Hons) in Animal and Conservation Biology – even though at times she had to leave lectures to change her dressing following radiotherapy treatment.  

Hayley, of Fairmilehead in Edinburgh, was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma shortly before her third year assessments started – although she only learned about it after it had been removed. The rare form of cancer develops in cells around joints and tendons, often near the knee, and is most commonly associated with young adults.  

Hayley had had issues with her knee for almost a decade, which worsened to a point where she was in constant pain and struggling to walk without crutches. 

The 24-year-old is now set to continue her studies in September with an MSc in Statistical Ecology at St Andrews University. 

Hayley said: “I’m thrilled to have completed my degree and I hope my experience will serve as inspiration to other students who may be struggling due to external factors. 

“It is possible to overcome hardships and achieve your goals as long as you are willing to work for it.”  

Dr Gavin Ballantyne, lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Applied Sciences, said: “Hayley has done brilliantly at Edinburgh Napier. Not only has she overcome serious health issues, but she’s also remained engaged, motivated and has produced an excellent final year project.

“We’re so pleased to see her graduate with a first-class degree and now go on to start an MSc at St Andrews.” 

Hashani Gunasekera, 28, MBA Business Administration graduate 

A new Edinburgh Napier graduate’s path to an MBA was almost wrecked by Sri Lanka’s horrific Easter bombings. 

Health management student Hashani Gunasekera was finalising her research proposal for her online course when suicide bombers claimed the lives of 269 people in Sri Linka on April 21 2019. 

The atrocity sparked widespread tension on the South Asian island and a security crackdown which included a ban on public use of the internet. 

Then, just as the situation was stabilising, along came the Covid pandemic which forced Hashani to defer her research into patients undergoing elective surgery so she could work on the hospital frontline. 

In a year in which no graduate had it easy, the 28-year-old has many reasons to be proud of the Masters in Business Administration (Health Management) she was finally awarded this week by Edinburgh Napier. 

Hashani said: “Completing my MBA has been a physical and mental struggle so I am very proud to have got over the line, with particular thanks to my supervisor Libby Campbell, who showed the utmost support throughout all these crises.” 

Hashani’s course was delivered by the University in partnership with the Sri Lanka-based Business Management School, and Edinburgh Napier teaching staff travelled to South Asia for the orientation programme and some lectures. 

Hashani is now working as a medical officer in a government hospital in Sri Lanka, a role which combines medical and administrative work.  

Libby Campbell, lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Health & Social Care, said: “Hashani should be proud of herself, achieving an MBA from Edinburgh Napier and doing so entirely online, when it was available, while working in frontline healthcare, during a major incident and its fallout, and during the pandemic.

“I’m glad I was able to help support her and I wish her well for the future.”   

Wave of Thanks

Your chance to thank an inspirational educator or school on Edinburgh’s billboards

People across Edinburgh are being asked to send in messages to thank schools and members of the education community that have supported them during the pandemic. These messages will then be placed on billboards across the city, to show appreciation and raise awareness of everything educators have done to help others. 

Through repeated lockdowns and with remote teaching and social distancing, the teaching community of Edinburgh have gone the extra mile to support their pupils. Whether it’s a teacher who helped a pupil struggling at home, a lunchtime supervisor who kept everyone safe at meal times or a teaching assistant that is an unsung hero – it is hoped the messages will highlight individuals and schools that have made a difference. 

People are invited to send in their messages in any format to show their appreciation, be this a drawing, written message, poem or video.

They can be submitted to appear on the billboards using this nomination form https://www.twinkl.co.uk/giveaways/thank-you-bundles before 6th June, by sending to waveofthanks@twinkl.co.uk or by simply posting on social media using the hashtag #WaveOfThanksEdinburgh by Wednesday 23rd June.

The digital billboards will be live from Thursday 10th to Thursday 24th June, located at the Edinburgh Arch and local supermarkets. 

Any schools nominated using the form before 6th June will also be in with the chance of receiving one of 500 wellbeing bundles. These will be packed full of goodies including tea and biscuits (staples of staff rooms around the world), thank you postcards and notepads and pens.

The billboard messages are part of a campaign organised by the educational resource publisher Twinkl, with the charity Mind and school supplier YPO, after they recognised the huge lengths educators have gone to for others throughout the past year. The campaign includes a range of other activities and surprises that celebrate educators for their dedication and give people an opportunity to thank someone close to their heart. 

As part of this, the public sector buying organisation YPO, which supplies materials and contract support to schools across the UK, is sending 100 surprise ‘Thank you’ gifts to teachers and school staff. They will also be running a competition to give communities a chance to name 40 new delivery fleet vehicles after inspirational teachers. 

Leon Smith, Chief Customer Officer at Twinkl, said: “The wellbeing bundles and billboards are a way of showing school staff how valued and appreciated they are. We’d love them to see a heartfelt message of thanks on a billboard on their way to work, giving them a boost after such a challenging year.

“Despite the difficulties they have faced, educators have gone above and beyond to offer the very best teaching, care and support during the pandemic. It’s so important to show them how thankful people are for their ongoing support and commitment to their pupils.”

To find out more, please visit: www.twinkl.co.uk/wave-of-thanks 

Eve De Haan shines a light on London’s dark and unsafe streets in urban exhibition

Neon Artist Teams with Zebra One Gallery and Reclaim These Streets for ‘Text Me When You Get Home’ charity campaign

 

Celebrated neon artist, Eve De Haan will shine a light on London’s streets and women’s safety issues, tonight (April 15), with an illuminated billboard campaign curated by Zebra One Gallery, promoting Reclaim These Streets’  ‘Text Me When You Get Home’ campaign, with all profits donated to make the UK a safer, fairer place for women.

The billboards in places including Shoreditch, Fulham,  Peckham and Dalston will display Eve’s art – an image of a  deserted street after dark, with the poignant, glowing words,  ‘Text Me When You Get Home,’ a familiar phrase which often  replaces ‘goodbye’ for women, representing how  safeguarding and safety fears have become a routine way of  life for females after dark.

As well as illuminating the dark streets, the urban exhibition  marks the start of the Reclaim These Streets movement’s  new campaign, which aims to use legislation, education and  community action to ensure no woman has to be asked to  ‘Text Me When You Get Home’ again. 

Four original prints, including the piece displayed on  billboards, will be on sale through Zebra One Gallery with  ALL profits raised going to Rosa, a grant-making charity  that funds grassroots women’s organisations to help make  the UK a fairer, safer place for women. 

Eve says: “Many of my pieces celebrate the unique strength  of women. The tragic circumstances of Sarah Everard’s  murder and similar stories of attacks and harassment  towards women around the world, shows that we still have  such a long way to go before we can feel safe.  

“I wanted to share these pieces in a public setting to show  support for women and to remind people that a message  like, ‘Text me when you get home,’ has become a part of our  everyday lives, and that shouldn’t be the case.” 

Reclaim These Streets was formed in the aftermath of Sarah  Everard’s tragic murder, with the simple idea of holding a vigil. But after the event was cancelled, more than £500,000  was donated to the cause by supporters, leading to a  partnership with charity Rosa.  

Having already testified to the Home Affairs Committee,  Reclaim These Streets are now working with cross-party MPs  on amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts  Bill to outlaw street harassment and kerb crawling.  

Jamie Klingler, one of the founders of Reclaim These Streets, says: “We are thrilled to be working with Eve. We need to  shine a light on all of the places where women are unsafe in  public spaces and Eve’s way of illustrating the plight of all  women will spark conversation and interest, which ultimately translates into change.” 

The billboards for the campaign were generously subsidised  by Brotherhood Media and are expected to remain in place  for two weeks.  

Zebra One Gallery owner and curator, Gabrielle du Plooy  adds: “As a woman, this is an issue close to my own heart.  

“I’ve lived in London my whole life and – like most women –  have had personal experiences which have made me feel  unsafe. So I’m delighted that we are able to help with such  an important campaign through our art.”