Living Spaces, commissioned by Places for People Scotland, has been installed in five different locations across the city, all of which were identified as vandalism hotspots following numerous repairs and treatments by the Places for People Scotland team over the years.

After identifying the locations, Places for People Scotland brought local photographers on board, who suggested various images which they believed would work well across the sites.

The artists and Places for People Scotland recognised the importance of resident participation in this project - as these are ‘living spaces’ - and customers living in the area were invited to select the final images to go on display using an online poll. The chosen photographs vary from moments of calm within the natural world, to colourful snapshots of interior and exterior life around the city.

Katie Smart, director of Places for People Scotland, said: “We are delighted to see this project come to life, our goal with this project was to transform living spaces across the city that had been victim to vandalism for both our customers whose homes are in the area and the wider Edinburgh community. It was important to us to involve our customers in the decision process, it feels extra special knowing that the artwork has been chosen by those most affected whilst being able to provide incredible local photographers with a platform for their work.”

Christina Webber, participating photographer and director of AGITATE, said: “It’s such a joy to see this project realised and AGITATE are proud to host a version of the work at 6WS during the Festival season. We love the August buzz and to be able to platform local artists to a visiting international audience is a really important opportunity. As a photographer, exhibiting work in alternative spaces with so many people passing each day is really exciting. Engagement with photography is so often digital, having the chance to be part of people’s everyday journeys is a privilege.”

Smaller scale versions of all the works are on display at 6 William Street (6WS) throughout August, alongside a Festival ‘rest space’ and a short programme of drop-in workshops to complement the work.

The artists whose work is included in the project are:

• Dave Ferrie - Everything that exists in cities is of interest to Dave, but particularly the areas where old and new meet, and the spaces where nature and man-made structures coexist. Dave loves exploring urban environments and photographing the moments, places and sights which grab his attention.
• Kat Gollock - Kat is a graduate of both Stevenson College (now Edinburgh College) and Edinburgh Napier University, where she graduated with first class honours, and has over 15 years experience in the photography industry. Kat specialises in events, portraiture and live performance. As well as commercial photographic work, she teaches photography, and is an exhibited photographic artist and a published writer on the subject.
• Zoe Hamill - Zoe is a photographer from Co. Antrim, now living in Edinburgh. She is interested in the relationship between humans and the environment, as well as the systems of classification that we use to make sense of the world around us.
• Jack Low - Jack Low is a lens-based visual artist based in Glasgow, having studied Photography and Film at Edinburgh Napier University. Drawn into photography at a young age through an interest in technology, he has produced works critically examining modern culture, social media and the human condition through means of installation pieces and typologies.
• Christina Webber - Christina is a visual artist who loves pictures, words, and their potential when put together. She completed a First Class BA (Hons) in Photography & Film from Edinburgh Napier University in 2015, and works as a Freelance Digital Communicator for a variety of clients. Additionally, Christina is Co-Director of AGITATE, a hub for photography based in Edinburgh’s West End.

The Living Spaces festival exhibition runs until 30 August 2024. Open Tue-Sun 12-6pm.

The city-wide Living Spaces locations are:

• Buccleuch Street pend, EH8 9JN (exhibiting: Christina Webber)
• 30 Potterrow, EH8 9BT (exhibiting: Dave Ferrie)
• 69 Buccleuch Street, Newington EH8 9LS (exhibiting: Kat Gollock)
• Grays Court, West Nicolson Street EH8 9EX (exhibiting: Zoe Hamill)
• 11 West Tollcross EH3 9QN (exhibiting: Jack Low)