exhibitions

Bookmarks Winners Display 2024

We are delighted to introduce the 2023 Bookmarks Prizewinners in the exhibition at ECA Library, Evolution House, West Port, 3rd April – 12th May 2024.

A picture of a library display of 7 artworks on paper
Works by Charlene Scott, Innes Clark and Daisy Whittle

During the 2023 Graduate show a panel was tasked to select a group of students who demonstrated in their work an appreciation of the book and an ambitious approach to using it within their practice.

These Prizewinners were then invited to return to ECA and showcase their work at Bookmarks 2024, and now a selection of their work can be viewed at ECA Library.

Prizewinners are as follows:

Innes Clark – Illustration BA Hons

Instagram: @innesclarkillo

Charlene Scott – Intermedia BA Hons

Instagram:   @charlenescottart

 

Daisy Whittle – Illustration BA Hons

Instagram: @daisywhittle.illustrator

BOOKMARKS 2024

Bookmarks 2024 took place at ECA on Wednesday 27th March from 1.00pm to 7.00pm at the ECA Sculpture Court.

A view from above of the bookfair taking place in the Sculpture Court
Bookmarks 2024 in action!

This annual event is a fantastic opportunity to meet artists’ books and zines makers, buy and swap stuff, and attend workshops!

Check out the new ECA website for more info.

A graphic for Bookmarks 2024
Illustration by Rebecca Tate, Year 3 Illustration, School of Design, at ECA

On a Clear Day: Bookworks and Poem-objects responding to Agnes Martin

11 January 2024:

 

ECA Library is delighted to host a new display featuring works by Julie Johnstone of Essence Press, and Alan Shipway, painter. Julie has long been drawn to the painter Agnes Martin (1912-2004). For this project she decided to address her interest in Agnes Martin directly, in order to see the body of work that might result when Martin’s life and work ‘met’ her own practice. She was interested in asking what it was that draws us to a particular painter or work of art – that affinity or resonance one feels – and how one might be inspired by that. Also on display are two watercolours by Alan Shipway who is also an admirer of Agnes Martin.

The show is open now until the end of February 2024.

Please do come along to ECA Library, level 1 of Evolution House, West Port, to take a look at our 3 display cabinets and the wonderful works inside.

NB: Evolution House is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.45pm only. Sometimes our reception needs to close over lunchtime, at short notice, so please either phone ahead to check the building is open or arrive between 9am and 12, or 2pm and 4pm. You can reach ECA Library on 0131 651 5700. Thank you!

For more information go to the Essence Press website

Black History Month

October 2023:

We have Black History Month new books displays at ECA Library, Evolution House, and at the Main Library, George Square, for everyone to enjoy this month.

We would also like to let you all know about an event taking place on 24 October, from 2.00pm – 3.30pm at the Main Library: Black History Month in the UK – Views from Home and the Diaspora.

In this in-person event, Dr Elizabeth Williams, cultural historian and leader of the Academic Support Librarian team, will be in conversation with six outstanding University of Edinburgh academics and commentators: Dr. Gwenetta D. Curry, Dr Omolabake Fakunle, Dr Nicola Frith, Sharon Boateng, Dr Simon Buck, and Rachel Hosker.

Books on display at ECA Library
Black History Month book displays at ECA Library, October 2023.

Barbara A. Morton exhibition at ECA Library: sidereal. the afterimage

From 8th September until 7th November 2023 we were delighted to host sidereal. the afterimage, presenting a selection of work from ~ sidereal. the afterimage, by Barbara A. Morton of Entropie Books.

sidereal. the afterimage

sidereal. the afterimage

~ sidereal. the afterimage is a new chapter of creative composition by Barbara A Morton.

The exhibition takes its title from the distinctive signature piece ~ sidereal. the
afterimage which achieves an extension of intention and originality in the
expression of poetry, book-making, drawing, and design.

The accompanying pieces, likewise, demonstrate ambition and creative reach,
both technically and imaginatively, and serve to maintain and develop Barbara’s
ongoing purpose of bringing poetry and poetic text to its aesthetic and accurate
environment ~ to encourage the reader to look, and to encourage the viewer to
read. To look closely. To look again. To look ~ for longer.

The show was at ECA Library, Evolution House (level 1), West Port, Edinburgh, until noon on 7th November 2023. Evolution House is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.45pm.

 

 

A Tribute to Len McDermid: 1933 – 2023

27th June 2023:

Award winning artist, poet and letterpress printer, and founder of Stichill Marigold Press, Len McDermid sadly died last week, and we pay tribute to him at ECA Library with a display of the work we hold by him in the ECA Library artists’ books collection.

We were honoured to host a tribute exhibition in 2021, Fair Winds and Following Seas, curated by book artist Barbara A Morton, and we loved and respected Len and enjoyed working with him.

He will be sorely missed.

ECA Library Prize winner at 2023 RSA Annual is announced!

We are delighted that Norwegian artist Kjersti Sletteland has been announced as the winner of the 2023 RSA Annual ECA Library Prize. Kjersti wins a one year free borrowing membership to the ECA Library collections, which is part of the University of Edinburgh Libraries.
Well done Kjersti!
You can find out more here.

Picture of a sculpture made of porcelain
Rumination Tango by Kjersti Sletteland

Rumination Tango by Kjersti Sletteland

Edward Enninful takes centre stage at ECA Library

To celebrate Black History Month 2022 ECA Library has a special display centred on the new memoir by Edward Enninful, Editor in Chief of Vogue UK since 2017.
The display features Enninful’s new book: A Visible Man alongside many of the issues of Vogue UK with which he has transformed the culture of this most famous of fashion industry magazines. Enninful is a key figure with global influence since he is the first male, first Black, first gay editor in the magazine’s 100-year history.
Listen to the podcast of Enninful’s interview with Oprah on Super Soul in which Enninful says “I want young people to read this book and understand that they can change an industry from within, by being vocal and not afraid”.
Find out about other Black History Month events at the University.