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Impressions Gallery

exhibitions: past

Beyond the Border: New Contemporary Photography from Scotland

Document Scotland

01st Jul - 27th Sep 2014

Sophie Gerrard, Colin McPherson, Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert, Stephen McLaren

Set against the backdrop of the historic referendum on Scotland’s Independence, Beyond the Border brings together four Scottish photographers, each with a distinctive view of a nation in the midst of intense debate about its future.

This international premiere – one of the most significant shows of new Scottish photography in a generation – aims to challenge clichés and explore the country, its people and identity.

Sophie Gerrard's Drawn to the Land is an intimate look at the role woman play in shaping the rural Scottish landscape. From Highland crofters to Lowland farmers, Gerrard explores how their lives interrelate with the land in which they live and work.

Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert's Edge of an Empire brings history to life in a fascinating study of the Antonine Wall, the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire, as the wall crosses through central Scotland attracting visitors and living history groups alike.

Stephen McLaren reveals the world of Americans with Scottish ancestry who retain close affinity with the ‘Old Country’, even through they may never set foot there. McLaren’s series American Always, Scottish Forever depicts the athletes, musicians, artists, and visitors attending California's burgeoning Highland Games season.

Colin McPherson presents A Fine Line, a year-long exploration of the physical border between Scotland and England, examining and questioning the very nature of the frontier and how it looks from the Scottish side.

Together, the four photographers are Document Scotland, a collective formed in 2012. Sophie Gerrard says, ‘We share a common vision to witness and photograph the important and diverse stories within Scotland, and to promote and support photography in Scotland’. Colin McPherson says, ‘the work in Beyond the Border is neither overtly political nor partisan, but aims to record and disseminate ideas and themes surrounding this pivotal moment in the nation’s history’.

The vote to decide whether Scotland becomes an independent nation takes place on 18th September 2014.

Beyond the Border is curated by Impressions Gallery's Scottish-born director Anne McNeill.

exhibition resources

Click here to download an information sheet about the exhibition (PDF 176KB)
Click here to download an our exhibition guide (PDF 880KB)
Click here to download our interviews with Document Scotland (PDF 176KB)