IN THE NEWS by Alicia Bruce

 

I Burn But I Am Not Consumed has been in the news.  Thanks so much to all who are supporting the publication and ensuring the Menie residents remarkable stance against Trump is recognised.

 

Financial Times Weekend – Gallery 05/08/23

The Guardian - The Scottish villagers who defied Donald Trump’ 21 Jul 23

 

AllAboutPhoto.com ‘I Burn But I Am Not Consumed’ 25 May 2023

Booklaunches & Events by Alicia Bruce

The absolute highlight of this project for me is hand delivering books to my friends in Menie and seeing their response. Here’s Mike Forbes with his copy in June 2023

The last few months have been a whirlwind with ‘I Burn But I Am Not Consumed’ being published. Thanks to everyone who has already bought the book, shared your love for the book and made it to recent launch events at ICP and SVA (New York, USA), Arles Photobook Fair (Arles, France) and Street Level Photoworks (Glasgow, Scotland). I look forward to welcoming more of you to events at Aberdeen Art Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Photography (Chicago, USA), Stills (Edinburgh, Scotland), Martin Parr Foundation (Bristo. England) and British Centre for Photography (London, UK).

It was great to be in New York this May to sign preview copies of the book at ICP Photobook Fest where I also spoke on a panel discussion with Svetlana Bachevanova (FotoEvidence) and photographer Oscar B. Casiillo.

ICP Photobook Fair, NYC, 12 May 2023

ICP Photobook Fair, NYC, 12 May 2023

ICP Photobook Fair, NYC, 12 May 2023

Booklaunch at Street Level Photoworks, 13 July 2023. Photograph by Michael Prince

Booklaunch at Street Level Photoworks launch, 13 July 2023. Photograph by Michael Prince

Street Level Photoworks launch, 13 July 2023. Photograph by Michael Prince

Street Level Photoworks launch, 13 July 2023. Photograph by Michael Prince

Street Level Photoworks launch, 13 July 2023. Photograph by Michael Prince

I gave a lecture about the project at SVA (School of Visual Arts) and met so many wonderful people and I’m very thankful.

Much love and thanks to all who made it to the first UK book launch at Street Level Photoworks on 13 July. I was overwhelmed by the love and support for the book.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday 24 August 2023 , 630-830pm, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen 

The evening will include musical contribution from Karine Polwart and readings from the book, as well as a chance to purchase a copy of the book and get it signed.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL

Thursday 14th September, 630pm

Stills, Edinburgh, Scotland 

Saturday 7 October, 11am

Talk and book signing - BOP Photobook Festival Bristol, UK Organised by The Martin Parr Foundation & Royal Photographic Society

Autumn 2023 - British Centre for Photography, London, UK (Date tbc)

MoCP CHICAGO EXHIBITION

Menie residents Mike & Sheila Forbes will be celebrated in an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) Chicago this year. LOVE: Still Not the Lesser, Aug 17–Dec 22, 2023, curated by Asha Iman Veal is going to be a special one.

I’ve been updating my socials and Kickstarter but realise not everyone sees those so adding some overdue updates here too. The book has also been in the press a lot including the Guardian, HUCK Magazine and more. One person just cannae do all of it all the time, thank you for understanfing. I’ll do a press roundup on my next news post.





TV - The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland by Alicia Bruce

“This series will celebrate the monumental achievements of women, many of them unsung, who some quietly, and others shouting from the rafters, did so much to transform the lives of women and men in Scotland and beyond in the last five decades.”

— Kirsty Wark

It was an honour to be invited to be part of the BBC TV series ‘The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland’ presented by Kirsty Wark. All episodes are available on BBC iPlayer. I’m in episode 3 discussing my collaborative approach to making photographs with a focus on the ‘Violence Unseen’ campaign for Zero Tolerance. Violence Unseen exhibition continues to tour.

Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Series Producer: Catherine Abbott
Executive Producer: Rachel Bell

Consultants on the series included: Dr Kim Barker, Senior Lecturer in Law, and Dr Helen O’Shea, Lecturer in History



Edinburgh Uni Open Lectures by Alicia Bruce

Alex Salmond face to face with his constituents Mike and Sheila Forbes at ‘Menie: TRUMPED’ exhibition, Scottish Parliament , Scottish Environment Week, February 2013

Alex Salmond face to face with his constituents Mike and Sheila Forbes at ‘Menie: TRUMPED’ exhibition, Scottish Parliament , Scottish Environment Week, February 2013

Photography for Social Change

Open Lecture at University of Edinburgh

Wednesday 6th November

6.30pm - 8pm


I’ve been invited by Edinburgh University to give an open lecture about an aspect of my practice. Tickets are free.

Open Lectures

Our Open Lectures series celebrates the research, projects, collaborations, events and professional practices of our teaching staff at the Centre for Open Learning. Our courses are designed and taught by an extraordinary range of talented and dedicated academics, practitioners and professionals. Many enjoy long and distinguished careers whilst others are in the early stages, perhaps in the midst of their postdoctoral study or working on their first book or exhibition.

Our new series will bring our learning community together to listen and engage with our tutors, as they reveal the story behind their own practices and research, perhaps through a funded project, a commission or continuing professional development.

Photography for Social Change

Photographer Alicia Bruce reflects on her practice with a focus on personal projects and campaigns to affect social change. Includes reflection on Menie: TRUMPED challenging Donald Trump’s Scottish developments, Zero Tolerance’s Violence Unseen raising awareness of men’s violence against women and 209 Women celebrating 100 years since women got the vote.

Alicia photographed the residents in legal conflict with Trump International Golf Links Scotland, President Donald Trump’s contested golf course on the coast of Aberdeenshire. Alicia’s image of Mike and Sheila Forbes, re-enacting Grant Wood’s sinister painting, ‘American Gothic’, evokes something of the tension in the original painting, with the Forbes defiant subjects ready to fight for their land, became widely exhibited and published.”

Location

The University of Edinburgh

Paterson's Land

Holyrood Road

Edinburgh

EH8 8AQ

More info here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/short-courses/events/open-lectures

Zero Tolerance tours Violence Unseen by Alicia Bruce

Violence Unseen’, the exhibition of photographs I made for the Zero Tolerance campaign is set to travel all over Scotland in 2019.

Image: Violence Unseen installation at Stills Edinburgh, Courtesy of Stills

Tour dates:

Friday 1 February - Monday 11 February, Stirling Campus, Forth Valley College

Friday 22 March, Strathclyde University, Glasgow

Monday 1 April - Monday 15 April, Rosyth Library, Rosyth

Tuesday 16 April - Monday 29 April, Lochgelly Community Centre, Lochgelly

Sunday 19 May - Monday 22 May, St. Andrews University, St Andrews

UPDATE (requested by Zero Tolerance, 7th Feb 2019): "Please see the link here to upcoming exhibitions of Violence Unseen that are open to the public. This is because they are often subject to change, we will be adding, taking them down and editing them as we go, as well as linking them to bigger events that the exhibition is sometimes a part of etc.”

In 2018 the exhibition was shown across Scotland after being launched at Stills in September 2018. Since the Stills exhibition ‘Violence Unseen’ has been exhibited at The Scottish Storytelling Centre, The Scottish Government, Stirling Bus Station, COSLA and more during #16DaysofActivism

About the project

I was commissioned by Zero Tolerance to create a series of campaign photographs marking 25 years since the original bold campaign made by photographer Franki Raffles. Over the past decades there have been dramatic changes to public attitudes around some aspects of men’s violence against women. Yet domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of violence against women are still prevalent in Scotland today, especially for groups of women who face other forms of discrimination; women with learning disabilities, women who sell sex, lesbian, bisexual and trans (LBT) and black and minority ethnic women.

In response to this, Zero Tolerance has created a new photography exhibition, Violence Unseen, to explore these types of violence against women that remain unseen and unacknowledged by mainstream societyI collaborated with groups and individuals affected by men’s violence to create a series of photographs that explore the types of violence against women that remain unseen and unacknowledged by mainstream society. The photographs shine a light on the types of violence against women that still remain unacceptably hidden and better represent the constellation of women’s lived experiences. The project included an intensive period of research and collaboration with multiple partner organisations.

Want to exhibit this project?

That would be wonderful. Please get in touch if you would like to organise an exhibition in your area with Jo Zawadzka on jo.zawadzka@zerotolerance.org.uk. The exhibition is available free of charge, however we would really appreciate contribution towards transport costs and insurance.

What if I can’t make it?

That’s understandable but you should get in touch with Zero Tolerance to get it at a venue near you. We want this to be shown far and wide. You can also download the full brochure here or find out when you can see the exhibition here.

www.zerotolerance.org.uk

#ViolenceUnseen

209 Women at UK Parliament by Alicia Bruce

 It was an honour and genuine pleasure to collaborate with Mhairi Black MP on a portrait for the trailblazing 209 Women which opens at UK Parliament on Friday 14 December, exactly 100 years since women got the vote.

‘Sure and steadfast’ Mhairi Black is the UK’s youngest MP she’s outspoken, a realist and fiercely committed to her constituency.   For me, she's the embodiment of potential for a shifting establishment where the people's voice will be represented directly and honestly in parliament with a foot firmly in reality.

This landmark exhibition features portraits of 209 female MPs, photographed by 209 female photographers. It coincides with the centenary of the first election where women could cast a vote, and one hundred years after women gained the right to sit in Parliament as MPs.

AliciaBruce_20by20inch_209 Women web.jpg

“Aw they’re brilliant! Of course, you can share the feedback. Like I said, it is the first time I have had my photo taken with no hassle, and no over the top-ness. I even came away with chocolate! So chuffed with it.” Mhairi Black MP on her portraits, (I also made one for her obituary file which I hope she won’t need for a very long time.) 

The portrait subtly references  ‘The Trial of William Wallace at Westminster’ by Daniel Maclise (1870)

The exhibition is curated by Hilary Wood (Founder/Director of ‘209 Women’ and photographer), Tracy Marshall (Director of Development and Partnerships at Open Eye Gallery), Cheryl Newman (Artist, curator and former Director of Photography of the Telegraph magazine), and Lisa Tse (Brand Consultant, TV Producer and founder of women’s club The Sorority).

‘209 Women’ is delivered in partnership with Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool City Council, the Royal Photographic Society and The Sorority.

Other ways to see ‘209 Women’

Visitors attending House of Commons select committees in Portcullis House during the run of the exhibition can also view ‘209 Women’.

After Portcullis House, the exhibition will be displayed at the Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool.

Follow the exhibition on social media using #209women.

Violence Unseen Exhibition at Stills by Alicia Bruce

ZT exhibitionEDIT2.jpg

Over the past decades there have been dramatic changes to public attitudes around some aspects of men’s violence against women. Yet domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of violence against women are still prevalent in Scotland today, especially for groups of women who face other forms of discrimination; women with learning disabilities, women in prostitution, lesbian, bisexual and trans (LBT) and black and minority ethnic women.

Zero Tolerance and award-winning photographer Alicia Bruce have worked with groups and individuals affected by men’s violence to create a series of photographs that explore the types of violence against women that remain unseen and unacknowledged by mainstream society. The photographs shine a light on the types of violence against women that still remain unacceptably hidden and better represent the constellation of women’s lived experiences.

 For further information contact: Jo Zawadzka  jo.zawadzka@zerotolerance.org.uk and visit Stills website http://www.stills.org/exhibition/future-exhibition/violence-unseen

Please note, on Monday 3rd September the exhibition will only be open until 3pm.

3 Sep 2018 - 9 Sep 2018

Stills, 23 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh

 

 

'Our World Heritage' Commission and Exhibition by Alicia Bruce

Our World Heritage’ exhibition opened at the historic Tron Kirk in Edinburgh on 26 July 2018.
"A new exhibition which showcases the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, as well as Scotland’s other five World Heritage Sites, opens today at the historic Tron Kirk on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The exhibition, housed within the atmospheric 17th century former kirk, attempts to capture the essence of the World Heritage Site in Edinburgh through the voices and opinions of local people. The story is told in a series of videos, quotes, and specially commissioned portraits from award-winning Scottish photographer Alicia Bruce. ‘Our World Heritage’ explains what makes Edinburgh’s heritage so special and internationally recognised as well as highlighting some of the issues associated with the World Heritage Site. A series of sections, with titles such as ‘City of Contrasts’, ‘Survival Stories’, and ‘High and Mighty’ set out the formal reasons for the city’s UNESCO inscription, but also challenge residents and visitors to think differently about the city and consider some uncomfortable questions. These range from whether we are doing enough to conserve the authenticity of the site, the role of the transatlantic slave trade in funding the city’s extraordinary 18th and early 19th century expansion, and the absence of women in the city’s many grand statues and monuments."

ABEWH web (8).jpg
 

Crisis - What If? Collaboration by Alicia Bruce

I've been working in collaboration with homeless people through Crisis Skylight Edinburgh as part of the charities 50 year anniversary using a 50-year-old twin lens reflex.  An outdoor exhibition has been placed around Edinburgh on billboard an…

I've been working in collaboration with homeless people through Crisis Skylight Edinburgh as part of the charities 50 year anniversary using a 50-year-old twin lens reflex.  An outdoor exhibition has been placed around Edinburgh on billboard and poster sites allowing 24hr access and as wide an audience as possible to the images and stories.  32 images from the project are also being exhibited at Edinburgh's Central Library.

Launch: Join us for the exhibition launch on Wednesday 5th July at Art and Design Library (within the Central Library), George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG. Routemaster bus leaves at 630pm to visit the billboards.  5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Exhibition:  4 - 29 July Art and Design Library (within the Central Library), George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG

Billboards and Posters: Throughout Edinburgh, throughout July 

 

More info on the nationwide project at www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/art-in-crisis/

Ex-serviceman Jamie Robertson being photographed for The Scotsman with his billboard.  5th July 2017

Ex-serviceman Jamie Robertson being photographed for The Scotsman with his billboard.  5th July 2017

Fix Photo Festival Announced by Alicia Bruce

FIX Photo Festival 2017

12 - 21 May

Free Entry

I'm excited to be bringing Menie: TRUMPED to Fix Photo Festival during this year's Photo London

Venue: Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1 9PH

MAP

Opening Hours 

Monday - Sunday

Friday 12 - Sunday 21 May        11.00 - 20.30

Monday 15 May                         11.00 - 18.00

Tuesday 16 - Sunday 21            11.00 - 20.30

Bargehouse is owned and managed by Coin Street Community Builders: www.coinstreet.org

 

Exhibition at Glasgow Women's Library by Alicia Bruce

When the Light Shifts is a national touring exhibition that brings together over fifteen of Scotland’s female photographers. The show represents a vibrant range of current practice, from intimate portraiture to experimental images of organic matter, to vital enquiries about what a camera is and how we use it in today’s world.

When the Light Shifts, Monday 6th March to Saturday 1st April, during GWL opening hours

Photography is a powerful way to share our stories, to describe our realities – or our dreams – and to document what is important to us. The work of an evolving network of Scotland’s women photographers initiated by writer and curator Katherine Parhar, When the Light Shifts is a vital collaborative project that celebrates community in creativity for Scotland, with photographers and audiences alike.

Join us for our opening event with Katherine and the exhibiting artists on Saturday 11th March between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

When the Light Shifts is produced and curated in partnership with Napier University.

Artists include (but are not limited to): Arpita Shah, Susanne Ramsenthaler, Catherine Cameron, Sarah Fishlock, Karen Vaughan, Zoe Hammil, Sylvia Grace Borda, Kotryna Ula Kiliulyte, Margaret Mitchell, Jolanta Dolewska, Alicia Bruce, Sophie Gerrard, Nina Bacos, Mairead Keating, Iseult Timmermans, Helen Jones, Edyta Majewska and Melanie Letore.

Cathy & Katie Rose

From series 'Digging for Diamonds: Woodend Barn Allotments', 2014