Image by the young people of smARTies at WHALEArts in Wester Hailes.
My Edinburgh: A unique perspective of Edinburgh in Photography by the children of Wester Hailes is a new exhibition delivered in partnership with WHALE Arts and Museums & Galleries Edinburgh which showcases photography created by a group of young people from Wester Hailes.
Inspiration for the work created was taken from the City of Edinburgh and surrounding areas, as well as Edinburgh Museums and Galleries. The exhibition is designed to encourage the young people involved to present their own personal views of the city and celebrate their vision and creativity in the Year of Young People 2018.
The main aim of the exhibition is to highlight creative talents of the young people through the partnership with WHALE Arts based in Wester Hailes but also to provide a platform for the young people to present their own view of Edinburgh, showcasing their pride in their own city, whilst also giving the young people involved the opportunity to learn and develop new photography skills and experience their city.
The 20 young people (aged from 6-16) involved in the project have taken part in a number of photography sessions, visiting museums and city sites including: The Museum of Edinburgh, The Royal Mile, Lauriston Castle and grounds and Wester Hailes, working with three top photographers, including Grant Ritchie (Real Edinburgh), Jonathan Cruickshank, Gordon Veitch from GBV Photography and Ailsa Grandison to create work and develop new skills which will be showcased as part of the exhibition at The Museum of Edinburgh from 18th May -29th September.
Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “For the Year of Young People 2018 we are delighted to work with the incredible charity that is WHALE Arts and host their work in Museum of Edinburgh. It has been a delight to see the young people embrace the project and take a real pride in creating their vision of Edinburgh for everyone to see. It has provided them with an opportunity to develop their photography skills and to explore their city, and the results are truly impressive. Well done to everyone involved.”
Kate Griffin, Creative Programme Manager with WHALE Arts said: “WHALE Arts is delighted to have been working in partnership with Museums and Galleries Edinburgh on
this exciting project in the Year of Young People 2018. Working with artists, curators and
photographers has offered young people in Wester Hailes the opportunity to develop their
skills and creativity and to share their perspective on the city.”
Michael Bowdidge, Streetarts Project Co-ordinator with WHALE Arts said:
“Working with this group of young people has been a wonderful and literally eye -opening
experience. Time and again I have been struck by the subtlety, wit and excitement of the
photographs they take. For me, it’s a real privilege to have had the opportunity to see the
world through their eyes.”
