Scottish Parliament Member’s Lobby, 7-11 October 2019

My Edinburgh: A unique perspective of Edinburgh in Photography by the young people of Wester Hailes is an exhibition delivered in partnership with WHALE Arts and Museums & Galleries Edinburgh which showcases photography created by a group of young people from Wester Hailes. The exhibition was designed to encourage the young people involved to present their own personal views of the city and celebrate their vision and creativity.

Kids from Wester Hailes have had their work shown at Scottish Parliament.The 20 young people aged 6-16 from WHALE Arts smARTies and Street Arts projects took part in photography sessions, visiting The Museum of Edinburgh, Royal Mile, Lauriston Castle and locations across Wester Hailes. They worked with photographers Grant Ritchie, Jonathan Cruickshank, Gordon Veitch and Ailsa Grandison to create work and develop new skills showcased in the exhibition which has toured the Museum of Edinburgh, WHALE Arts Centre and now the Scottish Parliament with the support of MSP Gordon MacDonald.

 

Councillor Donald Wilson, City of Edinburgh Culture and Communities Convener, said: “We are delighted to work with the incredible charity that is WHALE Arts.  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 very proud to share these images created by the talented and imaginative young people we work with at the Scottish Parliament. We have enjoyed developing and delivering this exciting project with our partners Museums and Galleries Edinburgh. 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, Street Arts 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.”

 

 Media information

• For enquiries or interviews please contact Kate Griffin on kate@whalearts.co.uk or call 0131 458 3267.
• Further images are available for use by contacting Laura Delahunt on laura@whalearts.co.uk