Parish maps come to Edinburgh

ARTWORK BY SARAH McFADYEN

A fantastic exhibition of 5 artistic Parish Maps, produced by artists, Sarah McFadyen, Anne Murray, Raonaid Mackrory, Jan Bee Brown, and Katharine Macfarlane, working in Hoy (Orkney), Cairnie (Aberdeenshire), Restalrig (Edinburgh), and Seedhill (Paisley) respectively. The artists worked closely with their communities, gathering in memories, perceptions, and stories, distilling them to make the work on display.

A Parish Map is a record of the things that people value about their particular place. It maps a community’s perception of its place, illustrating the importance of nature, history, landmarks, the things people encounter in their daily lives. It gives a sense of what is significant and distinctive rather than a record of what is simply there.

They offer a way of communicating creatively and socially how rich everyday places are, and what importance seemingly ordinary things have to everyone. As the geographer, Patrick J. Duffy puts it, they offer ‘a mental map, a sort of dreamscape constructed in the memories and folklore of the people which are as important as the physical world of roads and hedges, bricks and mortar.’

The Parish Maps are part of a wider Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland initiative, the People’s Parish, which brings together artists of all kinds and people in local communities to reflect on the places where they live. The starting point is the back story of the place. From place we connect community, local history, folklore and creativity, making projects that reflect how communities see themselves and how they want to present themselves to the world. The first three listed above were funded through the Scottish Government’s Pockets and Prospects programme, and the latter through its Culture Collective programme.

For further information please go to: www.peoplesparish.scot

This exhibition will be displayed at the Scottish Storytelling Centre (43-45 High Street, Edinburgh) from Wed 20 Apr - Sun 15 May. No tickets are required. Please note the Exhibition space is sometimes used for private bookings, please check ahead to confirm it is accessible for your visit.