Participation and Learning
Participation, collaboration and learning form a large part of my artistic practice. I love to share my passion for photography with others as I'm a complete photo nerd. For over ten years I have regularly led education projects and collaborated in galleries, schools, colleges, universities and community projects. Most artist residencies I undertake involve community engagement and workshops.
Education roles include Curriculum Leader in Photography at City of Glasgow College and UWS. I hold a teaching qualification and have undertaken extensive training in working with vulnerable groups.
Current teaching roles. I am currently in post as a Teaching Fellow in Photography at the University of Edinburgh and founder of Portobello Photography School. I have taught regular, popular weekend courses Street Level Photoworks, Glasgow since 2010 and for National Galleries of Scotland since 2009. I also offer private tuition for beginners and established practitioners.
Current collaborative commissions. I have been commissioned by East Lothian Community Hospital and Round Table Projects to make photographic work for the new hospitals Mental Health OPD. This project is currently in the development phase working in partnership with staff and patients transitioning from Herdmanflat Hospital, Haddington to their new surroundings in the new hospital.
Recent participatory posts include working as Crisis at 50's Collaborative Photographer, working with homeless clients, and recently Photographer in Residence at Broomhouse Primary, Edinburgh. In 2018 I have also ran community photography groups for Edinburgh City Council, Scottish Waterways Trust and International Women's Day.
Please get in touch if you'd like to book a course, run a community photography project or commission me. Here are just a few examples...
Bailey Inspired Portraits – Photography Course at National Galleries of Scotland
nspired by Bailey’s Stardust, an exhibition of work by David Bailey. After exploring his approach to portraiture, participants will make photographic portraits in a studio with professional guidance. f Day 1: Exhibition tour and afternoon session in a professional photographic studio in Leith. Day 2: Dark room printing at Scottish National Gallery.
Presenting at Creative Edinburgh, Talking Heads S.T.E.A.M.ers event, Whitespace, Edinburgh 2016
Photo by Ross Fraser Mclean
NEPAN 13 Participation, Photography & the Politics of Space Symposium at Aberdeen University.
Symposium co-ordinator and Speaker
Photo by Barby Asante
Everyone @ T103
The Everyone@Trongate 103 programme was an action research project funded by Engage Scotland which explored issues around access and diversity and promoted looking at art and making art and resulted in new creative partnerships between artists and organisations.
Four artists including myself, welcomed participants and their carers to Project Ability, Street Level Photoworks, GMAC and Glasgow Print studio to fully test out the facilities and gallery spaces whilst making work for our exhibition. Thank you to PAMIS (http://www.pamis.org.uk) for providing training and ongoing support and to Sense Scotland (http://www.sensescotland.org.uk) for providing exhibition space.
This project was truly collaborative across all artforms allowing me to further develop accessability in both photographic studio and traditional darkroom as well as collaborating in cross-artform approaches with everyone.
Gallery talk for 'Industries' / 'Menie:TRUMPED' exhibition at Street Level Photoworks
Exhibition opening talk at VU Photo, Quebec for 'Industires' / 'Menie: TRUMPED'
Diane Arbus Workshops with Art & Design students at Lochgelly High School, Fife.
Using iPads, apps and traditional TLR cameras too.
The students exhibited this work at Kirkcaldy Art Gallery and Museum as part of ARTIST ROOMS
More info and images on Tate blog.
Lead artist, curator and project co-ordinator for 'Surfing the Don' working with Aberdeen City Council and community groups to bring together and tour a photography exhibition celebrating Aberdeen's River Don. Extensive community participation, supporting contibuting photographer, arranging TV and press interviews, producing a publication, budget management, liaising with funders, securing exhibition venues and fundraising.