Under the theme of ‘the rural,’ the Gallery will tour throughout Scotland with environmental concerns and community partnerships at its heart.
The season 1 2024 exhibition is an exhibition organised in partnership with Hospitalfield Arts in Arbroath. The exhibition, A Bonnie Way: Unravelling the seduction of the countryside, presents the work of three artists, Bobbi Cameron, Ufuoma Essi and Sarah Rose, from Hospitalfield’s Residencies programme, who all explore their experiences of life and conversations in rural and semi-rural places.
The artworks will be accompanied by an index of community-based publications, connecting their questions, manifestos, and propositions of people in rural places from across Scotland.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “The Travelling Gallery is not just an exhibition, it’s testament to the fact that everyone should have access to art. I’m delighted that, with our support, the Gallery has been able to remove barriers to art by taking it into communities across Scotland.
“Not only is this year’s exhibition a fantastic opportunity to connect with art, but it also provides a chance to learn more about the experience of rural living. With such a brilliant line up of artists, I would encourage everyone to make a visit when it begins travelling in March.”
Cicely Farrer, Programme and Communications Manager, Hospitalfield writes: “We are delighted to be partnering with Travelling Gallery on this exhibition especially as we believe through its routes that Travelling Galley has the potential to connect people in rural places through its journeys, taking art beyond the central belt.
“When we organise events and commission art works at Hospitalfield, we always think about our local: our audiences and the themes that are relatable here – many of which are specific to our base in a semi-rural, coastal location. These themes are frequently approached by the contemporary artists who make work with us as and also appears in the Arts & Crafts carvings collections, and archives of Hospitalfield house.
“We’ve seen how community arts in rural regions thrive and arts centres, organisations and DIY initiatives have been making democratic projects with communities and young people for years. Our hope is that visitors can learn about each other’s experiences of contemporary rural life in Scotland.”
Claire Craig, Travelling Gallery Curator said: “Travelling Gallery visits so many rural and semi-rural communities across Scotland it made sense to explore and celebrate this further by dedicating 2024 to The Rural.
“We are delighted that Hospitalfield in Arbroath agreed to partner with us and curate the Season One exhibition, their research and expertise have added an authentic voice to the theme, exploring The Rural from a really interesting angle.”
Launching at Hospitalfield in Arbroath on Thursday 14th March the gallery will travel throughout Scotland. Visit the Travelling Gallery website for more details: https://travellinggallery.com/current-exhibition/
Travelling Gallery is a ‘not for profit’ organisation, regularly funded by Creative Scotland and supported by the City of Edinburgh Council.