Tag: photography project

National Galleries of Scotland and Rowan Alba nominated for award

National Galleries of Scotland has been shortlisted for Community Engagement Programme of the Year by the prestigious Museum + Heritage Awards for its work with Rowan Alba.

The nomination recognises an incredible collaborative initiative that supports people with alcohol addiction. The winners will be announced at a glittering live ceremony on Wednesday 15 May.

Beginning as a one-off photography project in 2013, the much-needed programme has since delivered 42 sessions in the last year in Edinburgh.

Developed in partnership with Rowan Alba as part of its befriending scheme, CARDS, it recognises the wellbeing benefits that art brings. Participants are welcomed into the gallery where they take part in creative activities, designed by the National Galleries of Scotland, Rowan Alba and artist Sam Rutherford.

The artist hosted sessions help people whose long-term alcohol addiction has led to poor health and social isolation, to feel more connected. Each month a different topic is discussed and participants are able to explore the collection and exhibitions of the galleries, as well as make their own art using photography, painting, collage, poetry and more.

The gatherings also support with emotional wellbeing, building friendships and assisting in recovery.

98% of participants reported anxiety, depression and low self-esteem while 25% have long-term mental health issues. However, after participating in the project 83% reported feeling less isolated, 95% felt less anxious and an amazing 95% felt their opinion mattered where they hadn’t before.

National Galleries of Scotland had the exciting opportunity to work with CARDS participants on exhibitions including co-creating audio content for Making Space | Photographs of Architecture and the current exhibition Conversations with the Collection in Modern One.

With one participant, sharing that this allowed them to feel a sense of pride and boost their self-esteem, saying: ‘I can’t believe the National Galleries asked for my opinion on the pictures, I took my grandchildren to hear the audio on the headphones.’

Creating the audio guide was an opportunity for National Galleries of Scotland to work in collaboration with participants to re-look at artworks in the collection and rethink their interpretation.

Following the spectacular success of CARDS, a new group and weekly programme ‘The Guided Self Discovery Group’ was also established after networking sessions for health and social care organisations, run by Rowan Alba at the Portrait.

Led by an NHS Occupational therapist, small groups meet at the Portrait gallery for 8 weeks. This supports people to transition from in-patient rehabilitation hospital, Milestone, back into the community. The sessions aim to ease the process, which can be stressful and isolating. 

Both initiatives explore themes around identity and connectedness and the creative activities encourage reflection and self-expression. The groups have also come together for a joint session, helping participants connect with the longer-term support that is available.

The sessions are integral to supporting client’s mental health as they provide new ways to express issues they are facing. Shifting focus to artistic activity enables participants to converse freely, informally, and openly.

Siobhan McConnachie, National Galleries of Scotland Head of Learning and Engagement, said: “The feedback we get from participants is overwhelmingly positive, and we are thrilled that this has been recognised by the awards. The programmes create environments where individuals feel safe and encouraged to participate – something they do not always feel elsewhere.

“Through Rowan Alba. we have succeeded in welcoming isolated people with addiction issues to the gallery and revisit. In 2023 we delivered 42 sessions with 517 attendances overall. Many are individuals who might not otherwise leave their homes, and have no other support or access to help.

“Being able to work hand in hand with Rowan Alba to accomplish this and highlight the importance art has in helping people is something we are incredibly proud of.”

A CARDS service user said: “I thought it was about art.  It is in a way, but not in the way you would think.  At first it was the only reason to turn over the months in the calendar other than to remember what day the blue bucket goes out. 

“The best part for me is my own visits to the galleries, the solitary ones, where I can be around people and still be by myself.  That bit creeped up on me and all of a sudden when things got bad at home, I thought, I’m going to the gallery. 

“There is an art to that.  Whether its deliberate or not.  That is an art!”

Photography project inspires West African women to tell their stories at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery

A mentorship programme at the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) has given six West African women the opportunity to tell their unheard life stories through the medium of photography.

Charting their individual physical, mental and spiritual journeys, the photographs will be on display at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery until 8 January 2023.

Today (5 December), the mentees celebrated the publication of a brand-new book. Titled Putting Ourselves in the Picture, the book includes a compelling selection of their photographs created during the mentorship programme.

Designed to develop the skills and confidence of six women, the mentorship programme involved using photography as a means of storytelling, learning how to make photographs using cameras and experimenting with photographic techniques such as collage and photograms.

The weekly sessions were coordinated by workshop leader Sam Rutherford and photographer Wendy McMurdo along with Chief Curator Anne Lyden.

The group took part in a series of workshops held every Monday at North Edinburgh Arts in Autumn 2021. Working with guest facilitator, Morwenna Kearsley, they learned how to use their new DSLR cameras, which they continue to use in their photographic practice.

Now settled in Scotland and residents of North Edinburgh, the mentees who took part chose a subject close to their heart to capture on camera.

The diverse themes explored by the mentees include:

  • Lovelin’s battle with bureaucracy to obtain settled status in the UK.
  • Maureen’s adjustment to high-rise living and comparing her new life in Scotland to her home country, Nigeria.
  • Linda, from Ghana, examined the challenges she overcame in learning how to drive, which was essential for her independence in Scotland.
  • Grace, an Evangelist from Nigeria, captured her experience of preaching about Jesus in Edinburgh.
  • Nwanyi’s motivation and study toward the establishment of her law career in Scotland.
  • Hannah’s weight-loss journey through walking, which helped improve her mental wellbeing during the pandemic.

The photographs along with statements from each of the women are on display in the exhibition You Are Here.

NGS’ mentorship programme was part of a pioneering nationwide project, Putting Ourselves in the Picture. Led by Professor Anna Fox, director and founding member of Fast Forward: Women in Photography, the programme was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, part of the UK Research Initiative. 

Putting Ourselves in the Picture is driven by women from communities around the UK. Alongside NGS, it has enabled several organisations—Impressions Gallery, Bradford; Autograph, London; Women for Refugee Women and WorkShowGrow to support marginalised women and non-binary individuals through the means of photography. The mentees were also the subjects of films and podcasts commissioned by Putting Ourselves in the Picture.

The new hardback publication Putting Ourselves in the Picture brings together photographs and creative writing produced by NGS’ mentorship group, alongside work created by sixteen other women working with our project partners across the UK. The powerful narratives and inspiring images that emerge from the pages of this book confront gender discrimination and the marginalisation of women in our societies. 

Running throughout 2022 at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, You Are Here amplifies the ways in which communities can engage with art to benefit their health and wellbeing. Drawing upon collaborative projects between NGS and partner organisations across Scotland, identity and belonging are at the forefront of this exhibition.

Anna Fox said: “This is a storytelling project of immense value and importance. I am bowled over by the powerful stories on display at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, which also feature in this new book.

“The wonderful book is the result of an 18 month-long project which saw five amazing partner organisations, a dozen photographers and educators, and 21 mentees, come together in collaboration.”

Anne Lyden said: “The mentees shared their experiences as African immigrants to Scotland with us, trusting us with their stories and offering insight into a vital community located in North Edinburgh.

“It is a huge privilege to celebrate the culmination of the mentorship programme today with Lovelin, Maureen, Linda, Grace, Nwanyi, and Hannah.”

PICTURES: Neil Hanna