To create a series of portraits, both photographic and audio, of residents of West Kilbride/ Seamill, based not just on the person we see but the person they feel they are inside
Project Description
Over the last two years, we've been helping young people create an open air photo gallery in the streets of West Kilbride during the Easter holidays (see picture) . For our 2026 project, we've something different in mind. Inspired by the work of Indian "rotiographers'" studios, we'd like to open our own pop-up studio in West Kilbride.
These backstreet photographers used a wonderful collection of lo-fi backdrops and costumes to create images that put people into their own fantasies; you want to be royalty, a cowgirl, a spaceman...? The photographer can make it happen, and you will have the photograph to prove it!
So, our project will involve the rental of a vacant unit on West Kilbride Main Street; setting up the unit as a portrait studio; inviting people to submit to us their dream or fantasy; creation of the backdrop and costumes to make it come true; the photoshoot; perhaps a chat about where the fantasy is rooted; and afterwards the creation of an exhibition and slideshow (see submitted video for example of past work) of the images created (with the permission of the subjects).
Location: West Kilbride/ Seamill is a small but expanding village, whose sense of community is becoming strained both by the development of new housing, which is not being reflected in increased infrastructure, and also by the pressures of cost of living. The project is one of a number generated by the community to use art to maintain community cohesion
Proposed on behalf of: Coast Collective; collaboration between photographer Mandy Edwards and gallerist/admin Ian Roberts
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