hubcap gallery

hubCAP Gallery Presents: ‘FIRMAMENT’ an exhibition by Edward Cawood.

Firmament: Exploring the Industrial Echoes of Prestongrange.

SETT Studios will soon host Firmament, a striking new exhibition by artist Edward Cawood presented by HubCAP Gallery.

Textured blue background with bold white text "FIRMAMENT" in the center. Below: "Edward Cawood," "Sett Studios," and dates "16-20 Oct. 2025."

Opening at SETT Studios on Thursday, 16th October 2025 Cawood’s latest presentation draws on several years of research and creative experimentation to produce work that delves into the layered industrial history of Prestongrange — once one of Scotland’s most significant brick and tile works, and home to early coal mining operations dating back to the 12th century.

The exhibition takes its title from the Latin firmamentum, meaning “a firm object” or “celestial barrier.” This dual sense of strength and mystery resonates through Cawood’s practice, which merges meticulous, archival study with deeply material processes. His works — ranging from “textual objects” to experimental photographic pieces on tile — embody a physical and conceptual dialogue with the site’s past. Each piece is the result of labour-intensive techniques that mirror the endurance and transformation embedded in the landscape itself.

Firmament represents the culmination of Cawood’s investigations into site, value, and industrial heritage, revealing a body of work that is both contemplative and tactile. Visitors will encounter a collection of pieces that evoke the textures of history, reimagined through the lens of contemporary art. Notably, the exhibition also introduces new, never-before-seen works, offering a first glimpse into the artist’s latest explorations.

The opening event takes place on Thursday, 16th October, with two sessions: a bookable Quiet Opening from 3pm to 5.30pm, designed to provide a relaxed, accessible experience, and the Main Opening from 6pm to 8pm.

Following the launch, the exhibition will be open for public viewing on:

  • 17th October: 3pm – 8pm
  • 18th – 20th October: 12pm – 5pm

A special event on 19th October (2.30pm – 4pm) will feature a bookable Writing Workshop with Beth Cockerline, inviting participants to creatively respond to the themes and atmosphere of Firmament.

Through Firmament, Edward Cawood transforms the remnants of Scotland’s industrial past into meditative reflections on endurance, decay, and the stories embedded in place — bridging history, art, and material memory in one evocative exhibition.

hubCAP Gallery is an Artist Run Exhibitions and Events organisation run by a rotating committee of participants of the HND Contemporary Art Practice (CAP) course at Edinburgh College Granton Campus. ‘Frimament’ is the first off campus exhibition by hubCAP.

SETT Studios is an artist-run studio with dedicated gallery space in Leith, Edinburgh.

Further information including accessibility information is available via the hubCAP Gallery website:

https://hubcapgallery.com/2025/09/11/hubcap-presents-firmament/

Orange is not the only…

Last week was the turn of Artist Aimee McCallum aka @camerwhore_xd to take the reigns of our hubCAP Gallery instagram and twitter feeds.

You can view all of Aimee’s instagram posts here: Aimee McCallum HubCAP Takeover

Lewis Bissett: Artist / Janie instagram Takeover

Another fantastic week of hubCAP Gallery instagram and twitter takeovers by CAP Alumni and former artist in Residence Lewis Bissett.

You can view all of Lewis’s instagram posts here: Lewis Bissett hubCAP Gallery Social Media Takeover.

hubCAP DO OR DIE Events Programme

An enormous thank you to eveyone who attended and participated in this weeks hubCAP Gallery events held in response to the exhibition DO OR DIE by artist Samantha Dick.

Tuesday’s In Conversation with Samatha and CAPetc lecturer Alan Holligan provided and opportunity for the audience to hear about Samantha’s journey through the Art & Design dept at Edinburgh College, Glasgow School of Art before returning to the college as Artist In Residence last August.

On Wenesday the invited panel chaired by CAPetc lecturer Jennie Temple considered the themes raised through a series of presentations centred on their individual practice as artist, performers, researchers and educators. The Q&A that followed was considered, lively and informative for all and sets the bar very high for future events by the hubCAP team

Panelists:

  • Quinn Garrison: Doctoral Researcher at the University of Edinburgh examining the intersection between Posthumanism and Queer Theory
  • Oskar Kirk Hansen: Mutli Media and drag Artist
  • Bethany Parsons: Equalities Officer, Edinburgh College
  • Megan Rudden: Artist & Mlitt Candidate Glasgow School of Art

CLICK to APPLY for HND CAP now

DO OR DIE: Samantha Dick at the HUBCAP Gallery

In what we hope will be the start of a significant new approach to our site we have asked current HND CAP students to submit content of publication. We were delighted to recieve the following from current hndCAP year 2 student Anna Brodie.

Each opening night at HUBCAP gallery so far has proven to be a certain type of good chaos and the same is to be said of the most recent from our very own Artist in Residence Samantha Dick, who is presenting their first solo show DO OR DIE. The exhibition is set in HUBCAP’S small but versatile space nestled in the back of Edinburgh College’s canteen and has shown how, once again, the committee of CAP students can pull off a very well executed and professional event.

This time around the space has been transformed through Samantha’s own artistic lens. Meticulously placed elongated black lines frame the room, putting purposeful constraints on the space, creating a simple black and white structure which is then disrupted by Dick’s colourful use of characterisation displayed across several different mediums.

Currently based between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Samantha studied at Edinburgh College before progressing on to Glasgow School of Art. After graduating from university last year, they have once again become a part of the Edinburgh College community. Initially as Artist in Residence (AIR) and most recently taking on the role of Learning Assistant (LA). In Samantha’s own words the basis of their practice is “their rejection of social expectation.” DO OR DIE extends their interest in this and questions “the structures of our complex contemporary world.”  Through use of what they call “theatrical play” and their characterisation of stereotypes Samantha reacts to the current socio-political climate. Taking influence from the 1950s nuclear family Samantha works to deconstruct societal ideals that traditional formulas as such represent, challenging the viewers own sense of normality. Samantha’s portrayal of Mr suit in “The Desk Studies” reflects current political and social chaos through balancing a “symbol of normality” with “acts of absurdity”. It shows how Samantha’s techniques in clowning and characterisation can address big issues just as well as, if not better than, more traditional mediums. The exhibition prompts us to question gender norms, social inequality and react to customary concepts of the dominant and subordinate.

Going forward Samantha is working hard as an LA and continuing their practice. Having recently shown work at Allsorts Royal Glasgow Institute Artist Film Festival as well as hosting exhibitions and events with the collective Where People Sleep of which they are a member and co-founder. You can find more information on Samantha at their website https://www.samanthadick.co.uk/bodies and keep up to date on recent work by following their Instagram @samanthadickart_

More information about Where People Sleep can be found on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wherepeoplesleep/

Make sure you don’t miss out on the many exciting things to come from HUBCAP gallery by following them on Facebook by searching HUBCAP gallery and Instagram @hubcap.gallery

Be sure to look out for upcoming events connected to DO OR DIE.

Samanth Dick in Conversation: hubCAP Events

DO OR DIE: Panel Discussion: hubCAP Events

And if you haven’t already, get yourself down to Edinburgh College for a visit at HUBCAP to see the hard work of our students on the gallery committee, and Sam’s exhibition which will be open until Thursday the 5th of March. Gallery Opening times are Mon-Fri 10am-3pm.

CLICK to APPLY for HND CAP now!