(Image: Nick Mailer)
Self-portraits created by nine young people from Edinburgh are being displayed on billboards and posters across the city as part of a project exploring identity and self-expression.
The participants, from Granton Youth, developed their portraits during a series of photography workshops inspired by Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, an exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland exploring identity and belonging through photography.
Lily Duncan (Granton Youth), Beda Rose (Granton Youth). (Image: Nick Mailer)
Working with artist Matthew Arthur Williams and supporting artist MV Brown, the group took part in six sessions focused on portraiture, using both analogue and digital photography.
The workshops took place in a pop-up studio at National Galleries Scotland: National. Each participant chose their own props and backdrops and made decisions about how they wanted to be represented in their portraits.
The finished works have been displayed at billboard and poster sites across Edinburgh in partnership with BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland. Locations include Wishaw Terrace, Dundee Street and London Road in Meadowbank.
Lily Duncan (Granton Youth), Beda Rose (Granton Youth). (Image: Nick Mailer)
The project was inspired by Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, which runs at the National Galleries of Scotland until Nov. 1.
Granton Youth was founded in 2002 and supports young people and families across north Edinburgh, including in Granton, Wardieburn, Royston, Muirhouse and Pilton.
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Beda Rose, a participant in the project, said: “It’s amazing seeing the billboards.
“I think the photos are really artistic and it’s not just photos of people doing nothing.
“It shows photos of people in a way that deserves to be shown.”
Holly Yeoman, community development officer at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “It's really important for young people's voices to be heard and for them to be seen.
“We're living in complex times, and to be able to use the Catherine Opie exhibition as an opportunity to bring young people of different ages and backgrounds together to discuss topics of identity, self-expression, friendship and family through creativity is meaningful.
“Now, these works are in the public, and will catch the attention of people who might not know anything about Catherine Opie, Granton Youth and the National Galleries of Scotland, these intriguing portraits invite people into the worlds of young people and what it truly means 'to be seen'.
“Catherine Opie has been really supportive of a project like this happening, as she knows how important it is to create space for sharing stories, creating connection, and the power of exploring this in through photography.”