Tag: Edinburgh College of Art

Broughton High School pupils create films for festival spotlight

Queen Margaret University (QMU) is celebrating the success of a dynamic filmmaking initiative that has opened up the world of cinema to Edinburgh secondary school pupils – empowering them to develop their skills, build confidence and premiere their own short films.

Delivered in partnership with leading film and education organisations, Our Cinema’s 2026 ‘Children Meet Cinema’ workshop brought together S2–S3 pupils from Broughton High School for an intensive two-week programme.

Through a series of hands-on workshops, pupils developed skills in storytelling, filming and editing, culminating in the production of three original short films – set to premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival this August.

The initiative reflects QMU’s commitment to widening access to creative education and supporting young people to develop confidence, skills and new ways of expressing their ideas. By working directly with experienced practitioners, pupils gained first-hand insight into the creative industries and the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

Produced by Scottish arts community Transgressive North, and jointly led by Robert Munro, QMU Senior Lecturer in Film and Media, and Jamie Chambers, Senior Lecturer in Film, from Edinburgh College of Art, the initiative has involved collaboration with creatives and educators across Scotland’s screen and education sectors, including independent filmmaker Duncan Cowles, and Maili Fraser from Edinburgh Filmhouse.

The programme was further enriched by mentorship from acclaimed director Scott Graham, who helped shape a series of practical exercises designed to guide pupils through every stage of the filmmaking journey.

Robert Munro said: “Creative projects like this are about opening up the world of cinema to young people and showing them that their stories matter.

“It’s been inspiring to see the creativity, enthusiasm and teamwork shown by the pupils at Broughton High School over the past two weeks. This kind of experience can be genuinely transformative – helping young people see new possibilities for themselves and their future.”

Nicola Daniel, Curriculum Leader of the English and Media Faculty at Broughton High School, was impressed with the impact that this creative film project had on both pupils and staff.

She explained: “Being part of this project was one of the most uplifting creative experiences of my career. Working alongside such talented practitioners brought a richness and authenticity to the process that the young people immediately responded to.

“The project opened up the full world of film for them – from shaping ideas and storyboarding to camera work, sound, editing, and performance – and their enthusiasm was nothing short of infectious.”

Nicola added: “Watching the young people take risks, collaborate with maturity, and produce films that were imaginative, polished and deeply personal was extraordinary. The final showcase was a moment of genuine pride – a celebration of their talent, their resilience, and the transformative power of creative partnership.”

What stood out most for the teaching staff was the impact on learners’ confidence and voice.

Nicola explained: “Alongside developing technical skills, the pupils grew in self-belief, communication and creative thinking, with many discovering new strengths in leadership and storytelling.

“The project also offered staff fresh insight into pupils’ abilities and highlighted the value of working in partnership with universities and industry. Film‑making brings together creativity, teamwork and critical thinking in a uniquely accessible way, and this collaboration showed just how powerful that can be in raising aspiration and helping young people feel seen and heard.”

Lead Filmmaker Scott Graham added: “The ‘Children Meet Cinema’ project gives me hope for the future of filmmaking in Scotland.

“The young filmmakers from Broughton High School took the creative freedom we gave them and ran with it. They were a joy and an inspiration to work with and I can’t wait for their films to be unveiled at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival. Their work deserves to be presented on the biggest stage.”

Robert Munro concluded: “We’re now excited to share the pupils’ films with audiences at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on Monday 17 August. Showcasing their work on an international stage is a remarkable achievement and a powerful celebration of their creativity and hard work.”

QMU would like to thank the young people who took part, the staff at Broughton High School for their support, and St Stephen’s Comely Bank Church for providing space for the workshops. The project was inspired by Japan’s Children Meet Cinema, and the team would like to thank Etsuko Dohi for all her support.

The project was supported by funding from Queen Margaret University’s research impact and widening access funds.

Book tickets for the Edinburgh Film Festival at edfilmfest.org .

Multrees Walk hosts Exhibition: Coordinated – a unique Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Showcase

Multrees Walk, Scotland’s leading luxury shopping destination, is proud to announce an exciting showcase event Exhibition: Coordinated celebrating the conclusion of its collaboration with students from Edinburgh College of Art (ECA).

The fashion exhibition, which will take place at Genesis Studio Edinburgh on Multrees Walk from 1st to 3rdMay, unveils a stunning collection of fashion designs created by Edinburgh College of Art’s talented second year students.

The event spotlights several of the students’ final works in a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration. Visitors can expect an engaging experience of fashion installations and behind-the-scenes storytelling and design journeys from the students themselves.

Launched at the start of their second-year programme, this unique collaboration has seen Multrees Walk mentor and sponsor ECA fashion students throughout their academic year, from early design concepts to commercial recognition.

Over the past several months, students were tasked with creating a commercially minded co-ord garment, exploring themes of sustainability, customer profiling and commercialisation. The students have gained invaluable experience working with Multrees Walk and luxury retailers such as Harvey Nichols and Johnstons of Elgin.

Professor Mal James, Programme Director, Personal Chair of Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Fashion at Edinburgh College of Art, commented: “Having our students’ designs and final garments exhibited within Multrees Walk is a rewarding opportunity for our students.

“By taking their ideas out with the college studios and directly into the city’s heart of fashion, this allows their creativity to be seen in the same space as some of the world’s leading brands.

“This event is truly a celebration of their hard work, talent and creativity- we are thankful to Multrees Walk for this fantastic opportunity, and to our fashion lecturers and technicians who worked closely with them on the project.”

Dr Patricia Wu, Year 2 Fashion Lecturer and academic project lead, added: “Collaborating on this project has been a delight.

“It has provided students with an enriching experience, teaching them the importance of commercial design and the relationship between designers and real-world customers beyond fashion shows.

“This project encouraged students to consider consumer preferences while allowing them to express their unique design identities”

Leigh Aitchison, Centre Manager at Multrees Walk, said: “Over the past academic year, and through mentorship and real-world insight from our retailers, the students have developed a real understanding of the commercial world of fashion.

“We have all been truly impressed and inspired by the students’ creativity, their passion for research and the original ideas they brought to life through their final designs.”

Adam Stone, Head of European Retail Leasing Strategy at Nuveen, added: “Supporting second-year fashion students from Edinburgh College of Art has been central to our vision for Multrees Walk.

“This collaboration has connected students with leading international brands and we can see first-hand how beneficial this project has been. We’re thrilled to be able to showcase the students’ designs in this impressive and illustrative exhibition.”

Exhibition: Coordinated will take place between 1 May and 3 May at Genesis Studio Edinburgh, Multrees Walk, Edinburgh. The free event will be open to the public from 10:00 to 16:00 each day.

Edinburgh’s Multrees Walk to mentor and sponsor Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Students

Multrees Walk Edinburgh, Scotland’s leading luxury shopping destination, has announced an exciting new collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), supporting the next generation of fashion talent.

As part of this partnership, Multrees Walk will provide mentorship and sponsorship to second-year fashion students as they embark on their annual commercial project.

This initiative will give students invaluable insight into the world of fashion, from design development to market positioning, supporting the gap between education and commercial practice.

Students will explore and consider sustainability, responsible material choices, understanding customer profiles, and developing strong brand narratives. 

Working closely with its retailers, Multrees Walk is uniquely positioned to offer students a wealth of real-world expertise and a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about the creative processes, the commercial routes and the commerce opportunities, all at an international level. Retailers from Multrees Walk including Harvey Nichols and Johnstons of Elgin will be offering student mentorship.

Leigh Aitchison, Centre Manager at Multrees Walk said; “We are delighted to be able to support and mentor the students of Edinburgh College of Art this year. By partnering with our retailers, we are able to share industry insight and tangible experiences that bring the education of fashion to life. 

“Together, we will aim to inspire and equip the next generation of fashion designers, buyers and marketeers with the tools they need to navigate in today’s ever-changing fashion landscape.”

Adam Stone, Head of Retail Asset Management UK at Nuveen (landlord of Multrees Walk) said: “Multrees Walk is committed to supporting the fashion industry of the future and our collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art will give students the unique and valuable opportunity to work alongside our wide range of leading global brands and retailers.

“We are proud to be able to help provide this wonderful opportunity and offer this exceptional mentor and sponsor partnership to the students.”

Professor Mal James, Programme Director BA fashion programme Edinburgh College of Art, added: “Partnering with Multrees Walk connects our students to a global network of leading international brands and retailers.

“This collaboration allows us to bring real life industry insight directly into the classroom. It’s a fundamental opportunity for our students to understand not only the creative demands of fashion, but the business side of the industry, too.”

This year-long partnership will culminate in a student exhibition and event in 2026, celebrating the completion of the course and showcasing the work of the students involved.

Taking place in Genesis Studio Edinburgh, Multrees Walk, this event will offer the public, industry professionals and the wider creative community the chance to engage with the students and their work.

Portrait Gallery showcase for Edinburgh College of Art designers

Over 40 independent designers will descend on National Galleries Scotland: Portrait in Edinburgh for a showcase of creative talent.

Now in its 11th year, Tea Green Events has become a major platform for independent Scottish designers, drawing thousands of visitors to its markets across the country.

Following the success of Tea Green Events’ markets at National Galleries Scotland: National last year, this is the market’s debut event at the Queen Street venue, taking place on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August 2025 (10am-5pm).

This year’s markets will also come to V&A Dundee, Bowhouse in the East Neuk of Fife, Aberdeen Art Gallery and both Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and The Burrell Collection in Glasgow.

Specialising in carefully curated markets within some of Scotland’s most stunning creative spaces, Tea Green Events was launched by Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen in 2014.

Joanne said, “The Portrait is a truly spectacular space and the perfect backdrop to show off the cream of Scotland’s creative talent, including many designers and makers who live and work in and around the capital. 

“Due to the large number of tourists visiting Edinburgh at this time, the market will also put Scotland’s design talent on a global stage, where we can showcase the very best of Scottish craftsmanship. 

“With everything from jewellery and prints to knitwear and ceramics, these beautiful hand-crafted pieces of work are made by some truly talented individuals who I know are looking forward to this amazing opportunity”.

Amongst the designers and makers preparing to set out their stalls are a number of Edinburgh College of Art graduates, including illustrator and paper artist, Laura Sayers.

Laura commented, “Turning up at a market can sometimes be quite alienating for folk like me who spend a lot of their work life alone, but the community of makers and the customers that come along are always so warm and welcoming.

“It’s been encouraging for me to see my own work looking and feeling at home alongside some of my favourite small businesses who are all making such high-quality, handmade products.

“As a result, I feel spurred on to make more wholehearted work to mirror the high standards of the other artisans, and the markets give me direction and something to aim for, particularly in the slow summer months. 

“There’s also something special about that human interaction and living online means that you’re often craving a space for these conversations. I always come away feeling refreshed and excited for what’s next.

“Edinburgh was a beautiful city to study in, and my time at the College of Art really shaped and laid foundations for the work I make today. I’m always more than happy to return to soak up some more inspiration, and the Portrait Gallery has been one of my personal favourite spots for a long time.

“Making it a base for my artwork for a couple of days is a real pleasure.” 

National Galleries of Scotland’s Director of Audience, Isabella Miller, said, “We can’t wait to welcome the makers back to the National Galleries of Scotland following the amazing success of the Tea Green market at the National gallery last summer and winter.

“This time around we’re hosting the market in the stunning surroundings of the Portrait gallery in the centre of Edinburgh.  Visitors can explore the market under the bedazzling stars in the world-famous Great Hall.

“The decadent and ornate backdrop of the Portrait is the perfect setting for visitors to feel fully enveloped in the spirit of the market. Beautiful hand-crafted designs, in a beautiful hand-crafted building, what’s not to love!

“The Portrait is dedicated to exploring various aspects of the Scottish story, so where better to also showcase the talents of the incredible market creatives and support Scottish businesses. We hope this will offer something a little different for our visitors to enjoy and that people can browse the stalls then explore the art, or pop into the café to relax and enjoy some delicious food.

“There will be something for everyone to discover during a day out at the Portrait.”

Dr Maria Maclennan, Senior Lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art, added, “It’s always wonderful to follow our graduates’ creative journeys as they grow and flourish into confident and established designer-makers.

“Communities and markets like Tea Green are ever-important platforms for our alumni in realising their ambitions, connecting with fellow creatives, and showcasing the breadth, diversity, and quality of work emerging from Scottish art colleges.

“At ECA, we strive to create opportunities for our students locally, nationally, and internationally; however, it is always particularly rewarding when graduates decide to remain in and around Edinburgh, and to further champion and grow Scotland’s vibrant creative landscape and economy.”

For more information about Tea Green Markets and the programme of events, visit:

 https://www.teagreen.co.uk/

The George partners with Edinburgh College of Art to pay tribute to Susan Ferrier

Students set to compete in art competition in homage to the 19th century Scottish novelist who once lived in townhouse, now part of iconic hotel

InterContinental Edinburgh The George Hotel – part of IHG Hotels & Resorts – has launched a competition for students at the Edinburgh College of Art – University of Edinburgh offering budding artists the opportunity to paint a piece of history, marking the 200th anniversary of the release of Susan Ferrier’s novel, ‘The Inheritance’.

Launched ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD), students from the renowned art school have been commissioned to create an exclusive piece of artwork which celebrates the novel, originally released in 1824 and considered to be the author’s greatest work, as well as the hotel’s unique connection to Susan Ferrier.

A novelist of the Scottish Enlightenment, who sold more books than Jane Austen in her lifetime, but whose legacy has been less known to 21st century audiences, once resided in one of the townhouses which now makes up the InterContinental Edinburgh The George. A successful business woman and intellectual, Susan Ferrier challenged gender stereotypes of her time and was recognised for her writing by the likes of Sir Walter Scott.

Located at No. 25 George Street, the Ferrier family home was well known amongst Edinburgh intellectual circles during the 18th century, with Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns frequently visiting. Scotland’s national bard even penned a poem to the Ferrier sisters.

‘The Inheritance’ tells the story of the young heroine Gertrude as she arrives in the Scottish estate of Lord Rossville to take up her position as his heiress, but finds herself in the middle of a gallery of humorous and eccentric characters — and at the centre of a mystery. The novel is concerned with questions of morality and education, in particular, a woman’s role in marriage and education.

The book also references national identity and the differences between Scottish and English cultures in the aftermath of the Union of 1707 and the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745.

To mark the bicentennial of the novel’s publication, InterContinental Edinburgh The George has worked closely with ECA to create a brief to help inspire students. As well as becoming part of the hotel’s heritage, the winning artist will also receive a purchase price for their artwork, which will be displayed within the hotel lounge for the months of July and August, before being permanently installed in the hotel’s Ferrier Suite.

An overnight stay in the Ferrier Suite and dinner in the hotel’s restaurant Le Petit Beefbar will also be included for the winning artist whose work will be chosen by a panel from both The George Hotel and ECA.

Stephanie Lee, Director of Sales at InterContinental Edinburgh The George Hotel, said: “Partnering with the Edinburgh College of Art on this innovative competition to pay tribute to Susan Ferrier while raising awareness of her wonderful work and talent mirrors InterContinental’s deep respect for the arts.

“Edinburgh has a long lineage of producing world-class creatives and the fact that one of its most talented daughters is celebrating a milestone anniversary, deserves to be commemorated.

“We’re excited to see the student’s interpretations of ‘The Inheritance’ and what it represents for them through their art. We’re even more excited to see the winning painting displayed in the Ferrier Suite for guests from around the world to see. We wish all students the best of luck and can’t wait to see the entries honouring Susan Ferrier’s life and work.”

Susan Mowatt, Head of School of Art, University of Edinburgh; “The Ferrier Painting Award launched by Intercontinental The George to celebrate the achievements of the novelist and publisher Susan Ferrier, is a brilliant opportunity for our art students which will see the selected painting commissioned and installed in the original Ferrier rooms. A really exciting public project.”

The competition, which is being run directly with students at ECA, will close in May 2024 with the winner being announced shortly afterwards.

Citizen Winter Warmer events: Stories and Scran

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has announced Stories and Scran will take place on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December as part of the third season of Citizen Winter Warmer events: a community celebration bringing together local voices and authors and artists. 

Audiences are invited to savour a sumptuous 3-course meal provided by the Scran Academy (included in the price of the ticket) and hear new writing from local people who have taken part in the Citizen project.

This year’s first event will take place at Fisherrow Centre in Musselburgh and will showcase the diverse voices and creative talent from local groups including illustrations from students at Edinburgh College of Art and the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group and The Citizen Collective. Special guests include Chitra Ramaswamy. 

This will be followed on Saturday 2nd November with another Stories and Scran Winter Warmer event in North Edinburgh.

Join us at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre for tasty food and brilliant storytelling in a heart warming event at the heart of the community.

Savour a sumptuous afternoon-tea provided by Scran Academy (included with your ticket) and hear new writing from local people alongside special guests including including Kate Foster and Doug Johnstone.

This year’s North Edinburgh event showcases the diverse voices and creative talent from local groups including a film from the North Edinburgh Drama Group and the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group.

For more information visit: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/stories-and-scran-2 

Kimpton Charlotte Square launches free exhibition

Local artists work on display during the Edinburgh Festival

The award-winning five-star Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is celebrating this year’s Edinburgh Festival by launching a new exhibition in partnership with &Gallery.

As the city welcomes visitors from around the globe for the world-famous Edinburgh Festival which celebrate arts and culture, the design-led hotel has unveiled a free art exhibition showcasing work from two local artists, Anna Somerville and Emily Moore.

Passionate about paint, mark making and colour, Anna Somerville creates expressive, painterly landscapes that conjure up hazy memories of places that she has visited. Her pieces on display at Kimpton Charlotte Square include ‘Highland Scape’, ‘Rapolano Neon Scape’ and ‘Tuscan Scape’.

Emily Moore’s paintings focus on the stark facades of modern tower blocks, inspired in part by a trip to Berlin, and latterly, places closer to home. The sharp lines of these modernist forms are overlaid with intricate patterns of leaves and tree branches.

Established in 2017, &Gallery is a contemporary visual art gallery located in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town and the well-known art gallery district. &Gallery curates a specialist programme of solo exhibitions of represented artists along with curated group shows.

Its emphasis is on abstract and minimal painting, drawing and sculpture, by artists at various stages of their career who are located in Scotland, as well as throughout the UK and worldwide.

Both artists are graduates from Edinburgh College of Art and regularly exhibit with &Gallery. The new exhibition will be displayed throughout the ground floor of the hotel including the lobby, The Garden as well as the bar and restaurant area. All work is available to purchase through the &Gallery.

Avril Nicol, owner of &Gallery said: “We have really enjoyed collaborating with the Kimpton for our exhibition taking place during the renowned Edinburgh Festival and following months. I

“t was a pleasure curating a selection of work to compliment Charlotte Square’s unique interior, and a great opportunity to highlight the work of two talented local artists.”

Kieran Quinn, general manager at Kimpton Charlotte Square said: “The Edinburgh Festival is a time for the world to celebrate our city, its culture, and the arts.

“It’s important for us to make the most of this special time, giving local artists access to our guests and ensuring our guests are surrounded by wonderful talent.”

Guests and members of the public are invited to see Emily and Anna’s work on display at Kimpton Charlotte Square from today (Monday 14 August) until November.

For artwork purchasing queries, please contact: info@andgallery.co.uk

Communities at the Festival

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL’s COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME

‘celebrating the diverse voices, stories and talent of local people, from across the city and beyond’ – NOELLE COBEN, EIBF Communities Programme Director

As a charitable non-profit making organisation, the work of the Book Festival stretches far beyond the month of August. Our Communities Programme runs year-round and is focused on inspiring and empowering people of all ages and backgrounds.

Our dedicated team work closely with local organisations to create tailored events and activities for a range of community groups throughout Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.

This year we have:

  • developed a new partnership with The Ripple Project to bring monthly author events to their social club for older adults
  • worked with young people and staff from NHS Lothian’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) on a three-day creative writing and illustration project
  • facilitated sessions with our Writer in Residence, Chris Barkley, for young people at The Alternative School at Spartans Community Football Academy
  • … and so much more.

As an outpouring of this year-round work, we run a series of events during the Festival that have been created both for and by those taking part in the programme. We can’t wait to share them with you!

STORIES AND SCRAN

Stories and Scran – Mon 14 Aug | 19:30 – 20:45

Stories and Scran returns for its fourth year – a joyful event celebrating the dynamic and thought-provoking work created by our Citizen participants.

The evening includes a sweet snack provided by Scran Academy (a catering social enterprise based in North Edinburgh) and readings and performances from local groups across the city. 

Tickets are on a Pay What You Can basis.

LETTERS OF HOPE

Letters of Hope – Mon 21 Aug | 19:00 – 20:00

What would you tell an outsider about where you live? What hopeful things would you write to your future self?

These were two creative questions our writer in residence, Chris Barkley, has been exploring with young people from the Spartans Alternative School.

Featuring short film, music, and readings, this event celebrates the diverse voices and creative talent of local young people. 

Tickets are on a Pay What You Can basis.

OUR CITY, OUR STORIES

Our City, Our Stories – Various dates | 18:15 – 19:15

Our City, Our Stories is an inspiring, recurring event, showcasing new writing from both professional and non-professional writers across our Citizen project (and other community-based groups including Intercultural Youth Scotland and Open Book).

Join to hear them perform their stories: a collective love letter to Edinburgh. 

These events are free.

RETURN TO PLANET CITIZEN

Return to Planet Citizen – Sat 26 & Sun 27 Aug

Explore the weird, wonderful world of Planet Citizen in this multi-media installation. You’ll find artifacts, writing, and impressions of a planet as far away as imagination can take you.

Return to Planet Citizen was created by pupils from St. Thomas of Aquin’s RC High School and Tynecastle High School in collaboration with professional artists. Join free 20-minute tours of Planet Citizen every 30 minutes (last tour 15:30). 

This event is free.

Beyond the Book Festival Village …

Aware that not everyone can attend Book Festival events in person, our Communities Team work closely with partners and institutions to bring events to groups who might otherwise be excluded. This is thanks largely to the support of the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

This August, author/illustrators Rob Biddulph and Nadia Shireen will visit the wards of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, for instance, and writers including Jenni Fagan, Doug Johnstone, and Alan Bissett will visit six prisons across Scotland.

We hope this newsletter has given you a taster for some of the amazing work our Communities Programme are involved in.

Find out more about our Communities Programme

Ocean-themed artwork made from recycled plastic to be unveiled at the National Museum of Scotland

The artwork Bottled Ocean 2123, which imagines the state of the oceans 100 years into the future in an immersive, undersea landscape crafted from recycled plastic, has been installed at the National Museum of Scotland. 

The installation, created by the artist George Nuku with the assistance of around 400 people including museum visitors, staff and volunteers from youth and community groups across Edinburgh, will be unveiled to the public next month in the exhibition, Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania (12 August 2023 – 14 April 2024). 

The artwork will address humanity’s unsustainable relationship with plastic, highlighting its impact on the natural environment and asking audiences to rethink their relationship with it.  

Artist George Nuku said: “Plastic is a fascinating material. We think of it as new, with all the things we use it for. But, in fact, when you think about how it is made, from material created during the Earth’s ancient processes, that simple plastic bottle is in a way one of the oldest things around.

“And if you think about it that way, like an ancestor, then maybe you can start to think about treating it with respect instead of throwing it in the ocean.

“With the help of hundreds of local people, we’ve taken a pile of trash and made something beautiful.” 

Groups involved in creating the artwork included the Welcoming, an Edinburgh based charity supporting migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, as well as students from Edinburgh College of Art and children from Granton Youth, and Pilton Youth and Children’s Project. 

Neil Hanna www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk 07702 246823

Dr Ali Clark, Senior Curator Oceania and the Americas said: “We’ve really enjoyed and appreciated working with George Nuku on the installation of Bottled Ocean 2123, and with the many local people and volunteers who have helped with its installation through our community outreach work.

“It makes a fantastic, thought-provoking artwork for the exhibition and we look forward to people’s reactions when it opens next month.” 

The exhibition will delve into the most important and pressing issue of our time, humanity’s damaging relationship with planet Earth. This is felt especially deeply in Australia and the Pacific Islands where sea levels are rising due to climate change and the oceans are filling with plastic.   

This exhibition considers our relationship to the natural environment through contemporary responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.

It will also host the first display in Europe of a set of five kimono which make up an artwork entitled Song of Samoa, by internationally renowned artist Yuki Kihara, newly acquired by National Museums Scotland with the support of Art Fund. 

Examples include work by master fisherman Anthony C Guerrero, who uses historic weaving techniques to make contemporary baskets from plastic construction strapping that is found littering Guam.   

Rising Tide also features historical material from National Museums Scotland’s collections, such as spear points from the Kimberley region of Western Australia made by Aboriginal men from discarded glass bottles. A recurring theme throughout the exhibition, these spear points demonstrate that Indigenous peoples in Oceania have always innovated, using materials found in their environment to make cultural objects. 

Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania is part of Edinburgh Art Festival, taking place between 11–27 August 2023.  

edinburghartfestival.com/eaf-2023/ .  

The exhibition is supported by a programme of events including a series of morning curator tours in August which take place before the museum opens to the public.  

@edartfest  

#EdArtFest  

PICTURES: Neil Hanna

The Edinburgh International Book Festival announces partnership with Waterstones

The Edinburgh International Book Festival today announces a new partnership with Waterstones, the UK’s leading book retailer.

With 29 bookshops in Scotland and a total of over 300 shops across the UK, Ireland, Brussels and Amsterdam, the bookseller could not be better placed to help support the Book Festival as it manages the transition to a new site at the Edinburgh Futures Institute in 2024. The agreement is for 2023 with a view to a longer partnership.

Nick Barley, Director at Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “We are excited to be partnering with such a well-established organisation as Waterstones, and we’ve been hugely impressed with the local knowledge of the Scotland-based team -especially now that the much-loved Blackwells shops have been integrated into the Waterstones family.

“This knowledge is matched by the passion and professionalism of the head office team and I have no doubt this will be a fruitful partnership that’s good for readers, writers and publishers who love the Book Festival.

“As we enjoy one more year at the Art College before moving to our new home next year, it is reassuring to know that book signings and book sales will be in the hands of such skilled partners.

“Waterstones have a passion for books and bookselling – and I’m especially pleased that key members of the Scottish team will be on hand to help us create a shop that’s suited to Edinburgh’s unique literary heritage.”

In 2023 and while at its interim home of the Edinburgh College of Art, the Book Festival book sales and book signing set up will remain as it was previously, with signings in the Signing Tent after events and an onsite bookshop housed in the stunning fire station building at the entrance to the Festival Village.

Highly trained members of Waterstones staff from across Scotland will be given the opportunity to work in the Book Festival shops this August.  

Angie Crawford, Scottish buyer for Waterstones, will play a key role in the partnership and will draw on a network of knowledge that has led to her being one of the most respected buyers in the country.

Meanwhile the Waterstone’s national event team, which has experience of delivering book sales for a number of other UK literary festivals, will oversee operations.

James Daunt, Managing Director at Waterstones, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support the Book Festival. It is the highlight of the bookselling calendar in Scotland and our Scottish booksellers could not be more delighted with this partnership.”

 In 2023 the Edinburgh International Book Festival runs from the 12 – 28 August at the Book Festival Village at the Edinburgh College of Art.