In Search of Stillness: A Photographic Deep Dive Into Japan’s Bathing Culture

  • Soo Burnell builds on her acclaimed Scottish poolside collection
  • New exhibition explores Japan’s love of warm healing waters

Scottish fine art photographer Soo Burnell has turned her focus to Japanese culture for a new exhibition, building on her acclaimed poolside collections – which included historic Scottish swimming pools.

At the Onsen, A Journey Into Stillness, takes place at Edinburgh’s Saorsa Gallery from 3-11 May, and is an opportunity to see 40 new pieces by an artist who is highly praised for her “striking images” (Stephanie Wade, Editor, IGNANT).

Soo has long had a fascination with the atmosphere and beauty of the places we create for bathing as well as the rituals and traditions they embody. Her photography has a sense of mystery, drawing viewers into mesmerising parallel worlds.

Soo said: “I’ve been desperate to visit Japan for as long as I can remember. I’ve been fascinated by Japanese culture and the beautiful architecture, shrines and gardens.

“After shooting so many Victorian baths in Scotland, the rest of the UK and Europe, I was fascinated to dive deeper into the Japanese tradition of bathing and the importance of these warm healing waters.”



Last September’s trip to Japan aimed to explore the country’s onsens, bathhouses fed by natural hot springs, often volcanic, and which much-loved placed for leisure and relaxation.

These are places for healing the body and the mind (a therapeutic practice called toji). Hot spring towns (akin to spa towns in Europe) flourished in the Edo period 1603-1868.

Soo also visited sentos, traditional bathhouses, which are communal but with separate areas for men and women.

The onsen and sento are architectural opposites: one white and calm with arched windows and natural light, the other of dark wood. The create very different moods yet both are calm and peaceful with the constant sound of running water.

The trip took a year of planning and research with Soo eventually selecting seven locations that she wanted to visit.

The photography itself required time, and care, with Soo collaborating closely with her models so they were perfectly posed and presented to catch the calm and stillness of the bathhouses.

While the new collection stands in contrast to her poolside collections, there are common threads and themes.

Soo said: “I loved the pastel colour palette of the sentos, and the stories told through the murals, which were incredibly detailed.

“Also, they feel central to the communities they serve, reminding me of the historic swimming pools from my poolside collections – spaces that encouraged gathering, whether as families going to swim together or with people from the wider community.”

Listings Details

  • Exhibition: At The Onsen, A Journey Into Stillness
  • Venue: Saorsa Art Gallery, Deanhaugh St, Stockbridge, Edinburgh. EH4 1LY
  • Times: 12pm-5pm
  • Dates: 3-11 May
  • Entry: Free

About Soo Burnell

Soo grew up in Edinburgh where she found inspiration in the buildings. These early impressions were to inform her later work. Following a project at Glenogle Baths, a pool she swam in as a child, Soo was reintroduced to the beauty of the architecture and the serenity found in these spaces, and this was the catalyst for a new direction in her photography.

Soo began documenting other historic pools around Edinburgh with the intention of capturing their striking architecture and, by contrast, the stillness housed within. She went on to photograph notable pools across the UK, from Aberdeen to London.  Since then, Soo has photographed pools across Europe, including in Paris, for an exhibition called Into The Blue.

Over the last six years, Soo’s work has been showcased internationally, including exhibitions in New York, Paris, Berlin, The Hague, Ostend, London, Tokyo and Seoul, and she is represented by galleries all over the world.

In 2021, Soo published her first book, To the Water, and an updated second edition is due for release later this year. Soo’s work has also been featured in numerous publications, both digital and in print, including Accidentally Wes Anderson Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.

Instagram @sooukdotcom Website https://soo-burnell.com

Soo on her photography

“I love a hidden portrait where the viewer is left wondering who the subject is and what their story might be; the mystery of the character and why they’re there. I enjoy that ambiguity, and I like that it can have a different story to each viewer.

“My work explores my passion for architecture and composition. I’ve been fascinated by both for years, both consciously as a photographer but also growing up in Edinburgh and absorbing so much incredible architecture.

“Throughout my work, I’ve always wanted to capture the striking geometry along with the dramatic proportions and atmosphere of each space. The eye is drawn in to the architecture and the symmetry, and I use blocks of colour to show interesting shapes and proportions.”

Praise for Soo’s work

“Burnell’s nostalgic and immersive images capture the spirit of these architectural ‘great dames’ in a haunting light.” Betty Wood, Editor, The Spaces.

“The striking images in ‘To the Water’ showcase Burnell’s talent at capturing the geometric precision of each architectural pool. Posing swimmers, stunning colour palettes and dappled reflections of water combine to present an atmospheric collection of dream-like works.” Stephanie Wade, Editor, IGNANT

“A wonderful celebration of the beauty to be found in swimming pools all over the UK and Europe.” Isabelle Aron, Time Out.

Glasgow photographer to showcase ‘A Love Letter to Glasgow’ exhibition … in Edinburgh


The exhibition offers a captivating and intimate look at Glasgow, exploring the city’s vibrant and diverse character. Iain Clark’s photographs are a celebration of Glasgow’s people, its architecture, and its culture, presented through his lens with a keen eye for detail and composition. 

Breathing life into Glasgow’s very essence, this homage exposes the spirited pulse that thrives within the city’s veins. 

Commenting, Iain Clark said: “My intimate affection for Glasgow is demonstrated by unveiling a deep sense of community amongst its vivid characters – my tribute to a city that embraces and inspires all who are fortunate enough to call it home. 

“Street photography is the lifeblood of the exhibition and it illuminates the ordinary and the extraordinary alike. The anonymous faces of passers-by intertwine with the familiar visages of local legends, each expressing the collective spirit that reverberates within the city.” 

Jane Frame, Doubtfire Gallery Director, said: “We are thrilled to host Iain Clark’s ‘A Love Letter to Glasgow’ exhibition during the Edinburgh Festival.

“The images are a poignant tribute to Glasgow and its people, and we are excited to share this work with the many people who descend on Edinburgh throughout the festival and residents alike.” 

A Love Letter to Glasgow’ will run from 2 August to 2 September at Doubtfire Gallery on Wednesdays to Sundays 12pm – 4pm, located at 28 North West Circus Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6TP. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Iain Clark’s stunning photographic tribute to one of Scotland’s most beloved cities. 

Picturing Health exhibition is live

Picturing Health is a photovoice project by Media Education and Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership.

The purpose of Picturing Health is to start a conversation with everyone in Edinburgh about how we see the future of health and social care. Health is a social issue which affects us all and the communities in which we live our daily lives.

People across Edinburgh were asked to take a photograph about what health means to them. These photographs tell a story about what health means to people in Edinburgh – what needs to change, what we cherish and what we want to celebrate and protect.

The Picturing Health exhibition launched last month and is now on the wall at Waverley Station. Orgainsers hope the pictures will generate conversation and inform health and social care services in Edinburgh moving forwards.

You can view these images at our exhibition at Waverley Station and in our online gallery at the updated picturing-health.com.

We would like to express our special thanks to everyone in Edinburgh who took photographs for this project. Your willingness to share your experiences creatively has brought this exhibition to life.

It’s also not too late to submit your own photograph and have your voice heard!

Humans of The Walk

THE FIRST Minister and a host of high-profile politicians have pledged to champion everyday walking – after seeing a powerful photography exhibition about its benefits for ordinary Scots.

Nicola Sturgeon was among dozens of MSPs who backed Scotland’s walking charity Paths for All, after viewing the acclaimed Humans of The Walk exhibition at The Scottish Parliament.

Delighted staff of the charity, which aims to create a happier, healthier and greener nation, say they have been blown away with the positive response from Scotland’s national politicians, many of whom penned supportive messages after viewing the uplifting portraits and their accompanying stories.

The First Minister proudly posed for photographs with her pledge, which read: “I will champion walking by encouraging and supporting it – and trying to lead by example.”

Ian Findlay CBE, Chief Officer at Paths for All, was thrilled when invited to exhibit in the Members’ Lobby from January 21-23 after linking up with a collective of female photographers from Edinburgh College of Art with the simple idea of capturing how walking can improve lives.

The resulting series of portraits celebrates the many ways in which walking benefits physical, mental and social health, regardless of age or ability. Its aim was to inspire the public to fall in love with walking and to incorporate it into everyday life.

Ian Findlay said: “It’s been a truly remarkable opportunity to be able to take the exhibition to the Scottish Parliament and share our messages and initiatives with the country’s leaders.

Humans of the Walk has been received incredibly well and provoked many important conversations around the benefits of walking. We’ve had great discussions with numerous MSPs on the importance of walking and active travel and how it can positively impact not only the physical and mental health of the nation but also the environment.

“The response has been extremely positive and many of the politicians discussed the different ways in which they can help to encourage people in their own constituencies to walk more.

“We are very grateful to Alison Johnstone MSP for sponsoring the exhibition in the Parliament.”

Images captured by the talented young photographers of CollectiveF8 bring to life individual stories of love, strength, friendship and age – all connected by walking. They include a portrait of married couple Karine and Sarah Mather, who shared their story about how getting outdoors helped Karine following her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.

Such stories struck a chord with politicians of all parties with dozens of them posing for photos while sharing supportive messages.

Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian Scottish Green Party, said: “It’s a privilege hosting an exhibition like Humans of the Walk in Parliament, and even more so working with an organisation like Paths for All who are relentless in their work to share the positive impact and evidence about walking and why it’s so good for all of us. 

“In the face of the climate emergency and the obesity epidemic, walking is a sociable, affordable, health-enhancing way to get about.  We can’t take it for granted though, we need to invest in making walking safe and attractive for all”.

Such was the positive reception that the exhibition has now been invited to go on show at the Scottish Government’s Victoria Quay building in Leith later this month.

Ian Findlay added: “What this proves beyond any doubt is that the simple act of walking on a daily basis strikes a very powerful chord even with the most influential people in our society. We are delighted that Humans of the Walk is helping us spread the message far and wide.”

First launched in May 2019, the exhibition was part of the first Open Streets event in Edinburgh – a ground-breaking initiative which saw large parts of the city centre closed to motorised vehicles.

Paths for All’s aim is to significantly increase the number of people who choose to walk in Scotland, whether it’s walking for leisure or walking to work, school or to the shops.  The charity works to create more opportunities and better environments not just for walking, but also for cycling and other activities to help make Scotland a more active, more prosperous and greener country.

For more information on Paths for All, visit: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/

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