Under the annual theme of ‘the rural’, Travelling Gallery has toured to different geographical clusters throughout Scotland during the year, inviting local partners to invest in a long-term commitment to bringing our exhibitions to their communities.

Season 3 sets off on tour this September, with Repair Café by Helen McCrorie. This exhibition centres on a film co-created with the residents of Strathearn in Perthshire, as part of the Scotland-wide Remembering Together project, that aimed to bring ‘collective acts of reflection, remembrance, hope and healing to communities across Scotland’ in the years following the COVID pandemic.

This 16mm film weaves hand-drawn animation and footage of beloved community spaces, with oral histories and evocative music by local school pupils and musicians. The film was made though creative workshops with people of all ages, including care home residents, as people recalled things that helped them during the pandemic and beyond.

In recognition that existing inequalities were compounded by the pandemic, the film celebrates the groups and charities that help to alleviate social isolation and poverty in Strathearn, as well as the creative and environmental initiatives that help to lift spirits. The soundtrack features a special arrangement of the song Strathearn by Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne of Strathearn, a contemporary of Robert Burns.

Exhibited alongside the film are a number of additional works that reveal some of the processes and thinking behind its making, including an interactive display with 16mm film reels, a colourful abstract animation and an atmospheric sound work.

Helen has also collaborated with Glasgow-based illustrator Annabel Wright to produce a number of drawing works that bring to light more of the personal stories that were shared during the project; some sad, scary or poignant, some hopeful, funny or surreal, the work expanding further upon the spectrum of insights and experiences from this time.

Launching in Edinburgh at Art Walk Porty on Friday 13 September from 10am to 4pm, the exhibition will tour until November to the following locations:

• West Lothian, in partnership with West Lothian College
• North Ayrshire, in partnership with North Ayrshire Council
• East Ayrshire, in partnership with East Ayrshire Leisure
• South Ayrshire, in partnership with South Ayrshire Council
• Inverclyde, in partnership with RIG Arts
• Dumfries & Galloway, in partnership with The Stove Network
• Dundee, in partnership with Dundee Contemporary Arts

Gillian Findlay, Museums and Galleries Edinburgh, Curatorial and Engagement Manager said:

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to share Helen McCrorie’s fantastic new work, and its reflections on the strength of community, with the places and people Travelling Gallery will be visiting during our tour. We’re looking forward to discussing the ideas with our visitors and hope we’ll be able to hear about their own stories and experiences of community.”

Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Val Walker said: 

“It’s fantastic to see season three of the 2024 Travelling Gallery begin this month. Repair Café by Helen McCrorie promises to be an insightful exhibition that will inspire us all to reflect on the inequalities that were compounded by the pandemic, and the different ways we made our way through with creativity and connection.

“It is so important to make art and culture as accessible as possible to a variety of people, and through our ongoing support of the Travelling Gallery, art is brought straight into the hearts of town centres. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to pay the exhibition a visit.”

Visit Travelling Gallery for more details.