Until September 27th, you will have the chance to experience and admire the remarkable work and life of social documentary photographer Sandra George. The new exhibition titled ‘Start from the Level,’ produced in partnership with Craigmillar Now, will be open to the public at the City Art Centre in Edinburgh and will also be part of the Edinburgh Art Festival.
The exhibition, which is the largest of the artist’s work to date, will showcase over two decades worth of photographs, with many being shown to the public for the very first time. This includes over 200 images and personal artefacts. Her work focuses on the lives of Edinburgh’s communities, exploring identity: belonging, motherhood, activism, social justice, and the lives of young people. The title of the exhibition coincidentally stems from her own words, “start from the level people are based.”
Born in Nottingham in 1957, George was raised between both Jamaica and the UK before eventually settling in the city of Edinburgh. Her education consisted of studying Photography at Napier University, Drawing and Painting at Edinburgh College of Art, and Community Education at The University of Edinburgh. She spent over 30 years working as a freelance photographer documenting everyday life across Edinburgh from the late 1970s through to the early 2000s, while also helping to develop significant social-action projects, some of which she founded.
George worked for publications such as the Sentinel and the Craigmillar Newspaper among others. She was also a big believer in the power of art and went on to teach photography and other various art skills to people of all ages in disadvantaged areas across Edinburgh. It was the artist’s tireless community work where she became widely known and garnered rightful recognition.
Throughout her commendable career helping and providing support for others, George captured countless images documenting the social history of Craigmillar in Edinburgh and beyond in Scotland. Craigmillar Now, which is an arts and heritage centre based in Craigmillar, currently holds the visionary’s vast collection of negatives.
Regarding the upcoming exhibition, Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham explained the importance of the photographer’s work.
“Sandra George’s photographs offer an invaluable record of Edinburgh and its communities, seen through the eyes of someone deeply committed to social justice, equality, and human connection. This landmark exhibition celebrates not only her extraordinary talent as a photographer, but also her lasting contribution to the cultural and community life of our city. We are proud to bring this important body of work to audiences and ensure that Sandra’s legacy continues to inspire future generations,” said Graham.
Two images perfectly encapsulate the artist’s vision, in terms of representation and understanding the meaning behind her work. One image shows a group of young kids playing on what looks like a pile of hazardous debris in a residential area in Leith in 1979. The kids are front and centre in the frame, faces grinning with joy as they pose for a photo on a makeshift play-apparatus. There is also a clever inclusion of three quarters of the word ‘playground’ at the bottom right of the image, written on the wall of a building which reveals the true reality of the story being shown.
A second and very striking image taken in Greendykes (1995), features a lone boy perched on an actual play-apparatus this time, situated on the left-hand side of the frame, with a tower block overshadowing him on the right-hand side with a significant gap separating them. This gap acts as a symbol, as the way I view it is it represents how distant deprived areas within Edinburgh are from equality and a life of opportunity. The perspective with which this image is shot from is a telling one, as it makes us the viewer, contemplate this powerful scene which is expertly laid out in front of our eyes.
Related reading:
- Complete guide to street photography
- Best camera for street photography
- You’ve never seen street photography like this before
- These amazing London street pictures just won UK Film Photographer of the Year
Follow AP on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Irys.
