photography

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/

Bothy Residency at SNGMA

In late September #CAPetcY2 undertook a 5 day residency in the Pig Rock Bothy at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Located within the grounds of the gallery Pig Rock Bothy is the 3rd of 3 residency spaces developed and produced as part of the ongoing Bothy Project. Having the opportunity to develop and produce work in such a prestigious location was daunting for all of us but despite what felt like significant pressure to make productive use of the space a decision was made to take creative risks and adopt a fluid and responsive approach to the residency.

A loose skeletal plan was developed by staff for each of the 5 days with each day beginning and ending with a group discussion around the table in the bothy. This allowed for the days activities to be developed collaboratively and for reflection of the days events. It was quickly established that the source for the weeks work would be the location, context and content of the gallery. The resources provided were purposely limited and basic in order to reflect the residency experience the bothy will offer when relocated thus stretching the participants to produce innovative and creative responses. Throughout the week a variety of group and individual responses were made to exhibits in the gallery including, sculpture, drawing, photographs, creative writing, installation and performance.

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On day 5 the residency culminated with a full day of installations, performances and presentations developed over the week all of which were open to the public. The particular highlight for all the participants was the performances made in response to the works in the galleries by Charles Avery, Graham Fagen, Roderick Buchanan, Lucy McKenzie and Ross Sinclair which were performed live in an around the works often to the delighted surprise of the public who believing they were in a particularly busy room of fellow contemporary art enthusiasts found themselves in the middle of a live performances examining the nature of art and our relationships with it.

The entire week was thoroughly documented, some of which is shown on this post but much, much more including sound recordings and video documentation can be found on the tumblr blog created by the CAP2: http://etccapbothy.tumblr.com

We would like to thank the Scottish National Galleries, The Bothy Project and in particular Julie-Ann Delaney Curator at SNGMA for supporting and facilitating the project.

ContemporaryArtETC… Diploma Show at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop.

ContemporaryArtETC… are delighted to present images from the current HN Diploma Show, XX – Collective.

XX – Collective, the first ever Contemporary Art Higher National Diploma Exhibition is on now at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop and features drawing, painting, sculpture, video, photography and performance.