Edinburgh Festival Guide

Listings: Visual art

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Coming into Fashion: A Century of Photography at Condé Nast

Condé Nast Publications produce some of the most famous titles in the magazine world, including Vogue, Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. It should come as no surprise that they also pioneered fashion photography, employing such legendary photographers as Cecil Beaton, Erwin Blumenfeld, David Bailey, Helmut Newton, Corinne…

City Art Centre, Edinburgh

Wed 19 Jun

£5 (£3.50) / 0131 529 3993

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Thu 20 Jun

£5 (£3.50) / 0131 529 3993

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Fri 21 Jun

£5 (£3.50) / 0131 529 3993

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 79 more dates

Amazing Amber

Amber is beautiful as well as fascinating. It consists of fossilised tree resin, and since resin in liquid form is sticky, and amber is transparent, this means that insects, animals and plant material sometimes get trapped in it and are preserved intact, giving us a glimpse of life millions of years ago. The whole process…

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Wed 19 Jun

Free / 0300 123 6789

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Thu 20 Jun

Free / 0300 123 6789

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Fri 21 Jun

Free / 0300 123 6789

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 79 more dates

Sarah Kenchington: Wind Pipes for Edinburgh

Sarah Kenchington builds her mechanical instruments from discarded materials. Bicycle spokes, typewriters, the inner tubes of tractor tyres are combined to create unique musical machines which emit a discordant array of moans, squeaks and chimes. Kenchington’s work offers a contemporary manifestation of a long history of…

Trinity Apse Church Nave, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

Free

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Fri 2 Aug

Free

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Sat 3 Aug

Free

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 29 more dates

151st International Exhibition of Photography

Come and see the best of modern photography. Two hundred images are selected from a worldwide entry of more than 2500 by a panel of distinguished international judges. The exhibition is the oldest continuously running in the world and may be viewed at our great King Street exhibition centre in the heart of…

Edinburgh Photographic Society

Sun 4 Aug

£4 (£3) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Mon 5 Aug

£4 (£3) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tue 6 Aug

£4 (£3) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 26 more dates

Follow the Thread – Dazzle@Dovecot

Work by jewellery designers who incorporate textiles, yarns and fabrics into their work.

Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

Free / 0131 550 3660

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:30 – 18:30

Sat 3 Aug

Free / 0131 550 3660

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:30 – 18:30

Sun 4 Aug

Free / 0131 550 3660

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:30 – 18:30
…and 22 more dates back to top

From Death to Death and Other Small Tales: Masterpieces from the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the D.Daskalopoulos Collection

From Death to Death and Other Small Tales brings together works from the D.Daskalopoulos Collection, one of the most important private collections of modern and contemporary art, with major works from the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. This innovative exhibition comprises approximately 130 works and creates a…

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One, Edinburgh

Wed 19 Jun

Free / 0131 624 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Thu 20 Jun

Free / 0131 624 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Fri 21 Jun

Free / 0131 624 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 79 more dates

Man Ray Portraits

Man Ray was an American original. He was a painter, a photographer, a maker of Dadaist readymades, a scene-maker and the man responsible for some of the wittiest and most pungent artworks of the modernist era. He's also the man originally responsible for putting a camera in the hands of Lee Miller, for which documentary…

Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh

Sat 22 Jun

£7 (£5) / 0131 624 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Sun 23 Jun

£7 (£5) / 0131 624 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Mon 24 Jun

£7 (£5) / 0131 624 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 90 more dates

A Patchwork of Leith Memories: Photos and Stories of Leith, Edinburgh

Picturing Leith's past through a great selection of unpublished photographs and memories. A unique exhibition which brings the past to life and describes many aspects of the Leith area in Edinburgh.

Living Memory Association, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sat 3 Aug

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Mon 5 Aug

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 17 more dates

21 Revolutions: Two Decades of Changing Minds at Glasgow Women's Library

Prints inspired by the collection of the Glasgow Women's Library.

Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh

Sat 20 Jul

Free / 0131 225 6671

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Sun 21 Jul

Free / 0131 225 6671

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 12:00 – 17:00

Mon 22 Jul

Free / 0131 225 6671

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 48 more dates

Alberto Morrocco: Drawing on Life

This exhibition of works by Alberto Morrocco OBE (1917 – 1998) spans the artist’s entire career, from early student drawings and sculptures to paintings and graphics produced in his final years. Many of the works included are being shown for the first time in public and the sheer range of pieces – from classical…

Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh

Mon 12 Aug

Free / 0131 557 1020

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 18:00

Tue 13 Aug

Free / 0131 557 1020

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 18:00

Wed 14 Aug

Free / 0131 557 1020

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 18:00
…and 18 more dates back to top

Jeremy Deller and Alan Kane

In the year he represents the UK at the Venice Biennale, Jeremy Deller and his long-standing collaborator, Alan Kane will exhibit at Jupiter Artland. Since their early collaborative show at the infamous London nightclub Stringfellow’s in 1995 to ‘Folk Archive’ (2007), their acclaimed and unique celebration of British…

Jupiter Artland, Wilkieston

Sat 3 Aug

£8.50 (£4.50) / 01506 889900

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Sun 4 Aug

£8.50 (£4.50) / 01506 889900

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Mon 5 Aug

£8.50 (£4.50) / 01506 889900

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 24 more dates

Paul Reid: New Paintings

The poetic narratives of Ovid have inspired painters since the Renaissance, but the paintings of Paul Reid uniquely focus on incidental details and precursory moments from these classical myths, creating curious, enigmatic and sometimes disquieting images. The technical skill and allusions to classicism in Reid’s…

The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

Free / 0131 558 1200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 18:00

Sat 3 Aug

Free / 0131 558 1200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 16:00

Mon 5 Aug

Free / 0131 558 1200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 18:00
…and 26 more dates

Phoebe Traquair Song School Murals

Painted in 1888-1892, Traquair’s acclaimed murals, restored in 1998, illustrate the canticle Benedicite omnia opera. Showing the pre-Raphaelite influence, they are a moving expression of faith. Tours meet at the Cathedral entrance (Palmerston Place).

St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

Song School

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Fri 2 Aug

Song School

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sat 3 Aug

Song School

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 24 more dates

The Vodnjan Collective: Croatia Scotia

The Vodnjan Collective comprises ten artists based in Scotland: Annie Broadley, Hans K Clausen, Paul Clowney, Tessa Clowney, Amanda Egerton-King, Alexander Hamilton, Diana Hoare, Susie Johnston, Susanna Laing and Anna Welsh. To coincide with the admission of Croatia to the European Union in 2013, Croatia Scotia…

Doubtfire Gallery, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

Free / 0131 225 6540

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Mon 5 Aug

Free / 0131 225 6540

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Tue 6 Aug

Free / 0131 225 6540

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 22 more dates

World Press Photos Awards

The annual awards for the best press photography of the year are happening in Edinburgh. Over 100,000 images by 5666 photographers were considered and you can see a display of the stunning winners and runners-up at the Scottish Parliament. Although this isn't officially an adults-only event, bear in mind that some of the…

The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh

Tue 30 Jul

Free / 0800 092 7500

Part of Festival of Politics.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Wed 31 Jul

Free / 0800 092 7500

Part of Festival of Politics.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Thu 1 Aug

Free / 0800 092 7500

Part of Festival of Politics.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 20 more dates back to top

A 15th Century Artist Predicts 21st Century Radiology

Peter Abrahams, Professor of Clinical Anatomy at Warwick University, explores the value of Leonardo’s anatomical drawings as a tool for understanding the human body, and how closely the artist anticipated the range of imagery used by the medical profession today.

The Queen's Gallery, Edinburgh

Mon 19 Aug

£10 (£8) / 0131 473 2000

Absolute Art

Back by popular demand for a fourth year, Scots photographer Jim Malcolm and French painter Christophe Philibert present an imaginative collection of photographs and paintings. Jim recently exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. Christophe has produced several books of his work. Both have exhibited…

Leith Library, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Sat 3 Aug

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Mon 5 Aug

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 18 more dates

Alpha and Omega

Angela Lemaire has exhibited widely and her work can be found in both private and public collections. Alpha and Omega is an exhibition of her prints, paintings and books and is in celebration of the publication of Jubilate Agno, a fine press book produced in collaboration with The Old Stile Press. It was written…

McNaughtan's Bookshop, Edinburgh

Tue 6 Aug

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Wed 7 Aug

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Thu 8 Aug

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 17 more dates

Amazing Amber

National Museum of Scotland. Bringing together highlights from National Museums Scotland's fine collections, Amazing Amber reveals the origins, properties and uses of this precious substance. Found all over the world, amber can vary widely in appearance and has many different uses. In this exhibition see pieces from…

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Mon 29 Jul

Level 3: Special Exhibition Gallery

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tue 30 Jul

Level 3: Special Exhibition Gallery

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Wed 31 Jul

Level 3: Special Exhibition Gallery

Free / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 32 more dates

Ana Maria Pacheco: Memória Roubada

Translated literally, Ana Maria Pacheco's title Memória Roubada means 'stolen memories'. At the heart of this exhibition are two sculptural works characteristic of both Pacheco's practice and her personal and political concerns about the exercise of power. Displayed facing one another, each work is a wooden cupboard…

St Albert's Catholic Chaplaincy, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

Free / 0131 650 0900

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 11:00 – 17:00

Fri 2 Aug

Free / 0131 650 0900

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 11:00 – 17:00

Mon 5 Aug

Free / 0131 650 0900

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 11:00 – 17:00
…and 19 more dates back to top

Ângela Ferreira: Political Cameras

For her first solo exhibition in a public gallery in the UK, Ângela Ferreira presents her renowned project Political Cameras (For Mozambique series) from 2011 alongside a new commission which will reference the legacy of David Livingstone's life and work, and the relationship between Africa and Europe from colonial days…

Stills, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

Free / 0131 622 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 11:00 – 18:00

Sat 3 Aug

Free / 0131 622 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 11:00 – 18:00

Sun 4 Aug

Free / 0131 622 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 11:00 – 18:00
…and 84 more dates

Art of Alison Kinnaird - Luminesce

Alison Kinnaird. Alison Kinnaird has an international reputation as one of the world's leading artists working in glass. Her work combines the ancient technique of wheel engraving with the modern technology of LED lighting. The introduction of light brings luminescence and colour to works from small intimate pieces to…

Gallery 369, Edinburgh

Mon 29 Jul

Free / 0131 226 0000

Tue 30 Jul

Free / 0131 226 0000

Wed 31 Jul

Free / 0131 226 0000

…and 31 more dates

Art, Science and Performance

Leonardo is celebrated as both an inspired artist and anatomist. This special event considers how contemporary artists, performers and scientists are informed by each other’s work in their exploration of the human body. Part of the Clod Ensemble’s Performing Medicine programme in collaboration with Wellcome Trust.

The Queen's Gallery, Edinburgh

Fri 23 Aug

£15 (£12) / 0131 473 2000

Art with a Mission

More than 50 artworks made by clients of the Glasgow City Mission. Many of the artists are vulnerable people recovering from addictions and this is the first time that they've shown their work in public.

C nova, Edinburgh

Wed 31 Jul

studio 1

£7.50 (£5.50; Seniors £5.50; Students £5.50) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Thu 1 Aug

studio 1

£7.50 (£5.50; Seniors £5.50; Students £5.50) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Fri 2 Aug

studio 1

£7.50 (£5.50; Seniors £5.50; Students £5.50) / 0131 226 0000

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

…and 24 more dates

Artist guided walk: Lines Lost

Join artist Stuart McAdam for a guided walk along the Innocent Railway Path, the route of the capital’s first railway line which was closed in 1968, and learn about his nomadic journeys and walking as a methodology for art production. His latest project, part of a residency at Deveron Arts, is based around the infamous…

The Innocent Railway Path, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

Free

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 13:15 – 17:30
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