Tag: photography exhibition

New exhibition focusing on the impact of war in Kyiv opens today at the Museum of Edinburgh

KYIV IS THE UNBREAKABLE HEART OF EUROPE exhibition

A photography exhibition entitled ‘Kyiv is the Unbreakable Heart of Europe’ will open today (Saturday 23 September) at the Museum of Edinburgh.

The exhibition is made up of 32 images of Kyiv and its surrounding areas and was commissioned by the Kyiv City State Administration. These images illustrate the stark reality of Russia’s illegal war and the horrific impact on the daily lives of Ukrainians in the capital and beyond.

Before arriving in Edinburgh, the exhibition had been displayed in Prague, Lublin, Giessen, Mexico City and Berlin.

In a special preview hosted on Thursday at the Museum, Council Leader Cammy Day, alongside members of the Association for Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Edinburgh branch, had a chance to see the exhibition firsthand.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I was incredibly moved today upon seeing these images from Kyiv. These are an important reminder of the terrible human cost of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.

“I’ve been clear for the past 18 months that Edinburgh stands in solidarity with Ukraine and with the Ukrainians who have made their new lives here in Edinburgh. I am incredibly proud of the support we have provided as a Council and as a city to those fleeing the most grave and terrible circumstances. We will continue this support for as long as is necessary.

“I would encourage all residents and visitors in Edinburgh to visit this exhibition from this weekend. “

Ukrainian Consul to Edinburgh, Andrii Kuslii said:  “Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine has had detrimental consequences for the Ukrainian people. They have faced unimaginable hardships and loss, yet their resilience and determination to reclaim their sovereignty is inspiring.

“By attending the exhibition, you have the opportunity to show your unwavering support for Ukraine. Together, we can shed light on the war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

“The exhibition serves as a declaration that Ukrainian people’s fight for independence and stability will not be forgotten or diminished. By attending, you can add your collective voice to the chorus of support and ensure that the world recognizes the strength and resilience of the people of Ukraine.”

Chair of the AUGB Edinburgh Branch, Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk: “This photo exhibition is a powerful opportunity to show the world what is happening in Ukraine so that the world doesn’t forget about the brutal war in the centre of Europe and the destruction to the Ukrainian people.

The exhibition runs from September 23 to November 12, 2023. Entry is free.

Accessibility guidelines for the Museum of Edinburgh can be found on our website.

No Ruined Stone: Paul Duke’s Muirhouse exhibition opens tomorrow

Paul Duke: No Ruined Stone
26 November 2022 – 19 February 2023
City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DE
Free Admission

This November, the City Art Centre opens a new exhibition of street photography by the artist Paul Duke depicting contemporary life in the Muirhouse area of Edinburgh.

Paul Duke: No Ruined Stone features 38 large-scale black and white photographs documenting the built environment and residents of Muirhouse. It is accompanied by a short film by Julian Ward, in which Paul Duke talks about his work and the experience of creating the series.

This is the first time No Ruined Stone has been displayed as a full-scale exhibition, bringing the photographs back to the artist’s home city.

Paul Duke grew up in Muirhouse, in the north of Edinburgh, between the mid-1960s and early 1980s. He attended the local Craigroyston High School, where his teachers inspired him to consider art as a possible future career. Drawn to photography, he enrolled at Napier College (now Edinburgh Napier University), before gaining a place to study at the Royal College of Art in London. From here, he established himself as a lens-based artist.

In 2015 Duke returned to Muirhouse to develop No Ruined Stone. This series was conceived as the second part of a photographic trilogy by Duke which examines the social climate in modern-day Scotland. It takes its name from the poetry of the Scots writer Hugh MacDiarmid. For No Ruined Stone, the artist spent time meeting local people and talking with them; reconnecting with his roots and exploring how the Muirhouse community had changed since his own upbringing there.

The exhibition at the City Art Centre presents a selection of 38 photographs from No Ruined Stone. It features views of homes and other architectural structures, surrounded by elements of the natural world. Portraits of local residents punctuate the otherwise unpopulated setting, giving a sense of the community’s identity – something that is too often misrepresented in popular culture and elsewhere.

Duke’s understated yet powerful images depict Muirhouse at a time of significant urban regeneration and social flux. While raising issues around social inequality and poverty, No Ruined Stone is underpinned by a message of human resilience, strength of character, and ultimately, hope.

Paul Duke said: “When I started work on No Ruined Stone in 2015, my greatest wish was to create a narrative that gave voice to the residents of Muirhouse – to challenge misrepresentation by portraying the community and local environment with honesty, fairness and dignity.

“I wanted to offer personal insight and in doing so, address pressing questions around social injustice. With millions of people up and down the land dealing with the cost of living crisis, I believe that these photographs have taken on new meaning and are now more relevant than ever.

Curator Dr Helen Scott said: It’s been a real privilege to work with Paul Duke on bringing this exhibition to the City Art Centre.

“No Ruined Stone is an important body of work that is both hard-hitting and reflective, socially-engaged and highly personal. There is heart and truth in these photographs, and the images linger with you long after you’ve seen them.

Councillor Val Walker, Convener of Culture and Communities, said: “We are delighted to present Edinburgh’s own Paul Duke: No Ruined Stone at the City Art Centre.

“His wonderful photographs will be on display for the first time as a full-scale exhibition and I’m sure visitors will be captivated by the series on contemporary life in the Muirhouse area of the Capital and the changes in the community.

“The aim of our City Art Centre is to champion historic and contemporary Scottish visual and applied arts, so I’m delighted that we can display Paul’s work in his home city.”

The exhibition is accompanied by the publication Paul Duke: No Ruined Stone (Hartmann Books, 2018).

Paul Duke: No Ruined Stone opens on Saturday 26 November 2022, and runs until 19 February 2023. Admission is free.

Counting Leaves: pop up photography exhibition at granton:hub

THIS weekend, opening Friday evening 21 October, we welcome a group show featuring photographers Kat Gollock, Zoe Hamill and Erin Semple who use their work to explore the landscape around us and the spaces we inhabit both individually and collectively.

Whilst varied in approach, these three artists are unified in making work that helps to better understand how we as humans engage with the landscapes we find ourselves in.

Their work explores how landscape moulds and shapes who we are and tries to make sense of the emotional narratives that the sense of place nurtures within us all.

Photo exhibition tells stories of Scottish Falklands veterans to mark 40th anniversary

A series of portraits of Falklands veterans has been released to tell their stories as Scotland marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the conflict today (14th June.

Award-winning Glasgow photographer Wattie Cheung worked with leading military charities Poppyscotland and Legion Scotland to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of our Armed Forces in the 1982 war.

The work has been released ahead of a national remembrance parade and service in the centre of Edinburgh on Saturday (JUNE 18th). Hundreds of current and former servicemen and women and their families are expected to take part. They will be joined by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, representatives of the Scottish Government, and heads of all three Armed Services in Scotland.

Veterans and a military band will march from Charlotte Square along George Street on Saturday morning, before a service of remembrance and wreath-laying in St Andrew Square, followed by musical entertainment.

Pipers around the world will also join in playing the Crags of Tumbledown Mountain in tribute to the fallen at 11am that morning. The tune was composed by Scottish soldier, Pipe Major James Riddell, during the final battle on the back of a ration packet. More than 110 have already signed up, from as far away as Canada, Peru, and the Falklands.

The conflict began on April 2nd, 1982, when Argentina invaded the British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean. Argentina surrendered on June 14th, as British forces approached the capital, Stanley. In total, 255 British servicemen, 649 Argentine military personnel, and three civilians died, while many more were wounded.

As part of the charities’ commemorations, Mr Cheung photographed seven veterans across Scotland using a Graflex Super D large format film camera made in the USA in the 1940s. Each one said that the 10-week conflict had impacted the rest of their lives, with many losing close friends and struggling to come to terms with their experiences.

Among them is David Cruickshanks, from Fife, who at the age of 17 was the youngest Scot to serve in the Falklands with the Royal Navy. He remembers the constant threat of air attacks, accidentally walking through a minefield, and losing six crewmates from his ship, HMS Fearless.

Former Scots Guards Donald McLeod, Willie Urban and Graham Hopewell were involved in the final battle to take Mount Tumbledown on June 13th, before the Argentinian surrender the following day.

Mr McLeod described nine hours of hand-to-hand fighting through the night, during which eight of his comrades were killed.

Mr Cheung said he had always been fascinated by the stories of veterans, and he was inspired to capture the portraits following similar projects to mark the 75th anniversary of D Day in 2019, and VE Day and VJ Day in 2020.

Wattie Cheung said: “Meeting veterans is always humbling and a good opportunity to learn about the harsh realities of war from those who have first-hand experience.

“They were all young men, no matter which war, sent into situations that they had never experienced. I don’t think they see themselves as heroes but just ordinary men in extraordinary circumstances doing a job they were trained to do.”

Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland are organising this weekend’s commemorative events in partnership with the Armed Forces and the Scottish Government. Falklands veterans and bereaved relatives will also be traveling to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire today (JUNE 14th) for a UK-wide service.

Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “These stunning portraits pay tribute to the incredible efforts and resilience of those who served in the Falklands. They encourage us to reflect on the sacrifices they made 40 years ago and remember those who paid the ultimate price.

“Today will be a poignant day for thousands of veterans, servicemen, women, and their families, as we mark the anniversary of the ceasefire. Although the conflict lasted for just 74 days, it had a profound impact, with many veterans struggling with the physical and mental scars for decades afterwards.

“We’re pleased to be working with Poppyscotland, the Scottish Government, and Armed Forces to hold national commemorations and encourage the public as well as the Armed Forces community to get involved. We’ve also been impressed by the enthusiastic response to our call for pipers to take part, and join us in playing on streets, hillsides, and gardens across Scotland and the world.”

Saturday’s parade will start at 10am from Charlotte Square, led by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and the Scots Guards Association Pipes and Drums.

The service, led by Revd Dr Karen Campbell, will be followed by performances by both military bands, Legion Scotland Sweetheart Amy Hawthorn, Stuart McLean, Juniper 3 and Ellyn Oliver.

For more information of the Falklands 40 commemorative events programme visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/Falklands40.

Falklands 40 | Remembrance | Royal British Legion

Exposed 22 – College Photography students annual exhibition returns to Out of the Blue Drill Hall

Edinburgh College Photography students and graduates will be showcasing their talents in an exhibition which sees their work displayed to the public in the nation’s capital next month.

Exposed 2022 is taking place at Edinburgh’s Out of The Blue Drill Hall from Monday 1 June to Thursday 9 June, excluding Sunday 5 June, from 10am to 5pm.

The exhibition includes works which have been created by HND2 and BA photography students. Images cover a wide range of genres including portraiture, fashion, advertising, sports, documentary, photojournalism and landscape. 

The College’s Photography department has been running the annual Exposed exhibition show since the mid-1990s, and this year 45 students from showing more than 80 images in an event the host venue describes as its ‘largest annual exhibition’.

Pete Harper, HND2 Photography graduate, from Haddington in East Lothian, said: “I’m really excited to be exhibiting my work for the first time at Out of The Blue in June. 

“The last couple of years of study has been tough, not least because of the pandemic, but it has also been immensely rewarding.  A lot of really hard work has gone into producing these images and I’m proud to have the opportunity to display them at Exposed 22.” 

Kay Frances Hyde, BA Professional Photography graduate, said: “It was a huge step for me to return to education in my fifties and I feel a huge sense of achievement having finished the degree at Edinburgh College.  

“Having worked in PR in the tourism sector for over twenty years, my photography has a strong sense of place.  I’m interested in celebrating and showcasing Scotland’s rich culture and heritage through my photography.”

Graham McGirk, Photography lecturer, said: “We’re looking forward to yet another Exposed exhibition – it is the perfect way to round off another year of hard work and innovation from our extremely talented students.

“I’m very proud of all of our students and of the outstanding work they have produced – it has been another exceptional year. We hope that lots of people can attend the exhibition to witness first-hand the wealth of stunning works on display.”

Exposed 22 is part of the College’s annual GLOW Festival – a two-month creative festival, showcasing the new generation of creative talent in Music, Theatre, Dance, Photography, Sculpture, Illustration and more. 

Find out more about GLOW Festival.

Calling all Scottish photographers: London Photo Show gets set to return to Southbank

Are you a semi-professional, amateur or fledgling photographer from Scotland? Would you like to display your work in an atmospheric London gallery?

The London Photo Show is set to return for its sixth year running to the Southbank this autumn, giving professional, semi-professional, independent and amateur photographers from all over the world the chance to exhibit their work to the public in a professional and high-profile location. 

Show organisers are calling upon photographers of all abilities to enter their most well-loved shots, which will be displayed at London’s Bargehouse Gallery, situated in the iconic Oxo Tower Wharf, between 11 and 14 November 2021.  

Founder and professional photographer, Andrew Mason, who established the photography exhibition in 2016 to put a focus on undiscovered talent, said: “We can’t wait to bring the show back to the Southbank this November.

“Even though we managed to run the event last year, it was on a smaller scale, we are hoping this year will be the biggest yet. We are once again looking forward to filling the gallery space at The Bargehouse with authentic, raw and evocative images, many captured throughout the pandemic.  

“I know myself the thrill and fulfilment that comes from seeing your own work exhibited in a public arena. Our event is more than welcoming to photographers of any level, that’s what makes us different. Our doors are not just open to those at the top of the profession.  

“The London Photo Show is known for bringing together those with a love of photography all under one roof each year. The event offers the chance for anyone involved to build their profile and get noticed, whilst allowing visitors the chance to see some truly original artwork for free.” 

The open exhibition, which welcomes all subject genres including portraiture, fine art, wildlife, architecture, fashion, nature, travel, sport, reportage, and landscape is expected to host submissions from around 60 photographers around the globe. The event is open to the public across four days with no admission fee.  

Andrew ended: “The show was started so that photography can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone – its foundations have been built on inclusivity and we can’t wait to see what artwork this time around.”   

Places at The London Photo Show are extremely limited and those wishing to reserve their place should visit: www.londonphotoshow.org for further information.   

With costs starting from just £275, exhibitor packages include: 

·         Wall space with your bio and information 

·         Advice on choosing and printing images 

·         Photographer networking events in the lead up to the exhibition 

·         Hanging of images by professional installation team 

·         Invitations to the Private View for you and your guests 

·         Exhibitors profile listing on the London Photo Show website, and promotion though social media 

Exposed 2021

Edinburgh College Graduate Photography Exhibition to make a welcome return

Edinburgh College HND Photography students will showcase their unique talents in an exhibition culminating their two years of training in Professional photography. 

Exposed 2021 is taking place at Edinburgh’s Out of The Blue Drill Hall from Wednesday 2 to Thursday 10 June 2021, excluding Sunday (6 June).

Entry to the exhibition is free of charge and there is no need to book. COVID-19 health and safety will be in place to keep those in attendance safe.

The College’s Photography department has been running its annual exhibition show since the mid-1990s, and this year 70 students from the HND and BA courses will be showing over 150 images covering a variety of genres including photojournalism, documentary, fashion, advertising and the environment.

Unfortunately, last year all end of year shows had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, and so students who graduated then were not able to show their work.  Now they will have the opportunity to show it by exhibiting alongside this year’s HND students. 

The exhibition will be a celebration of Scottish Photography and the achievements of Edinburgh College students and it will be biggest student graduate photography show held in the country.

The youngest of this year’s exhibition cohort, George Norris, is 19 years of age, while the eldest, Lorna Fleming, is 67, with all ages represented in-between.  The HND is a practical course which encourages students to work on live client briefs to strict deadlines, so preparing them for the world of work.

Graham McGirk HND Photography course leader said: “Having this platform to physically show their work is a big deal, after students have worked under such incredibly difficult circumstances over the last 18 months. 

“This is the first step back to normality and we’re really looking forward to seeing the work hanging up at the Drill Hall and hope people will enjoy coming to see it.”

Jon Lee BA Photography course leader said: “The quality of work this year has been outstanding and we’re confident this show will be our best yet. 

“It will be a superb showcase for our students and we look forward to seeing them flourish in their future careers.”

HND student Lorna Fleming, 67, from near Kelso said, “Completing the HND in Photography has proved to me that it is indeed true that you are never too old to learn. 

“Photography has changed since I was a junior member of my local camera club aged 16 and at times I have struggled with technology but being part of a wide age range has been a brilliant experience.”

HND student George Norris, 19, from Musselburgh, said: “It’s been difficult with the challenges covid has brought, but I’m really proud of my achievements and I’m feeling positive about the future.  I hope to take my education further in photography by entering the BA degree course.”

The BA degree in Professional Photography is unique in Scotland as it is accredited by the British Institute of Professional Photography as well as endorsed by the Association of Photographers.

More information and updates on the Exposed 21 exhibition can be found on Facebook. 

The College’s annual Glow Festival, taking place from 7-18 June, will also feature work from across all of the creative courses run by Edinburgh College when it goes live on 7 June.

Into The Blue at Porty!

Scotland has some of the most beautiful and diverse marine ecosystems in the world and, in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, this large-scale outdoor photography exhibition will take you on a fascinating journey around some of Scotland’s most remarkable coastlines.

Revealing the beauty of coastal landscapes, introducing some of the weird and wonderful inhabitants of the world beneath the waves and exploring the role seas and oceans play in our lives, Into the Blue is the story of our oceans‘ scale and majesty, their biodiversity and potential as well as the threats they face.

The exhibition is free and open all day, every day until Monday 27 April.

Classical Edinburgh exhibition opens today

The ‘Classical Edinburgh’ exhibition (above) opens today at the City Art Centre.

Classical Edinburgh explores and examines the changes that have taken place in half a century of development which has seen the neo-classical New Town transform from an area of refined respectability to an integral part of a bustling cosmopolitan city.

Using Edwin Smith’s black and white images published in ‘The Making of Classical Edinburgh’ (1966) as a starting point, Colin McLean embarked on re-shooting and re-interpreting these seminal images.

As part of this fine exhibition you can also see a gallery of local photographer’s photos – the result of a recent public competition sponsored by Jessops.

There are eighteen fantastic photographs to view, including one by West Pilton’s Anne Conrad. Anne’s photograph, ‘India Street Short Cut!’ is below.

The exhibition is well worth a visit. It runs until 8 March … and it’s free!

Principal winner, Don Munro, The Scottish National Gallery at Night.

RUNNER UP
CATEGORY: WORKING LIFE
Title: Pumpkin spice and everything nice rush once upon a time in Edinburgh
Location: Princes Street
Category: Working Life
Photographer: Louise Liga Bite

On The Bus Home by Glenn McNaughton

@WhatOnEdinburgh
@Edinburgh_CC