What's On

‘The Floating Hour’ is an exhibition of handwoven tapestries, drawings and paintings by Edinburgh-based artist-weavers, mother-daughter duo AYESHA and ANUSCHKA BARLAS.

This body of work is inspired by the hidden places in and around Dr Neils’ Garden and how the interplay of light and shadow on the water’s surface creates a sense of suspended time. Combining this with the artists’ shared interest in history and place in a broader sense, the exhibition showcases drawings, paintings and handwoven tapestries that exist in the hinterland between experience and memory, and between physical and psychic landscapes.

Ayesha Barlas is drawn to the colour and patterns of the narrative-based art forms of her Pakistani heritage. Her tapestries explore the resonance of the chimerical remnants of the past with her present experience, and textiles’ close relationship with the body and memory to communicate stories of personal everyday events. Holding a BA (Hons) in Painting & Printmaking from the Glasgow School of Art (2022), Anuschka has attended residencies at the Cyprus College of Art in Paphos. She teaches weaving workshops regularly and is co-founder at The Paper Stage, an artist-run platform celebrating figurative drawing and painting, through life drawing classes, workshops and exhibitions.

Anuschka Barlas is a Scotland-based artist whose work engages with themes of memory, place and transience. Drawing variably with charcoal, pastels, oil paint and watercolour on paper, and weaving with natural and synthetic fibres on a handloom, her practice probes the foundations of traditional drawing and painting.

> You must book in advance.

Enquiries: anuschka.barlas@gmail.com

In this half-day workshop (repeated on Aug 30) students will learn the basics of tapestry weaving. Using a frame loom and a selection of colourful yarns, and taking inspiration from the beautiful garden surroundings, we will weave a small landscape to take home.

The workshop also includes a free tour of 'The Floating Hour', an exhibition of work by Edinburgh-based artists and weavers Anuschka and Ayesha Barlas, which runs as part of the Edinburgh Fringe programme at Thomson's Tower from 21-30 August.

> You must book in advance.

Enquiries: anuschka.barlas@gmail.com

In this half-day workshop, students will learn the basics of tapestry weaving. Using a frame loom and a selection of colourful yarns, and taking inspiration from the beautiful garden surroundings, we will weave a small landscape to take home.

The workshop also includes a free tour of 'The Floating Hour', an exhibition of work by Edinburgh-based artists and weavers Anuschka and Ayesha Barlas, which runs as part of the Edinburgh Fringe programme at Thomson's Tower from 21-30 August.

We welcome back the Garden's former Artist in Residence, BRIGID COLLINS.

She will be exhibiting drawings and paintings inspired by her time in the Garden as well as launching her book jointly authored with the poet Christine De Luca.

> Please register in advance via EventBrite.

Dr. Neil’s Garden in Edinburgh is an urban haven, a place that has something to tell us about all places. With delicacy and tender attention, artist Brigid Collins and poet Christine De Luca respond to the garden, looking deeply into how it feeds a vital and growing sensitivity to the fragility of our shared futures.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at £15. This event will be followed by an optional short walk to the adjacent Dr. Neil’s Garden and a tour of 'Felt Sense', an exhibition of drawings, paintings and artist’s books by Brigid Collins.

Light refreshments will be available (from 12 noon) for purchase from The Garden Room Café located between the Kirk Hall and Dr. Neil’s Garden.

> You must register in advance via EventBrite.

Most of us are constantly bombarded with undifferentiated noise and visual stimulii which looking - truly seeing - by drawing and reflecting, acts as a powerful antidote and opens us up to the possibility of creating "an island of silence" in which we  are able to restore ourselves, returning to our senses.

Allow yourself to be gently guided by artist Brigid Collins as you spend time drawing, reflecting and immersing yourself in the quietude of Dr. Neil's Garden. To stop rushing around, to sit quietly, to notice your surroundings, to simply see the world, promises to be an unforgettable experience. As artist Frederick Franck noticed, "the eye releases, the heart expands and curiosity is dissolved in wonder."

No previous drawing experience is expected or required. All that you will need to  bring is an open mind. Spending time in the garden in this way will do  the rest...

JANE FLETCHER graduated from Edinburgh College of Art, after which she spent some time teaching. She enjoys painting and drawing using a variety of mixed media, oils, watercolour, charcoal and inks.

She searches in her work for textures and contrast. This usually begins with rough sketches outdoors which can be developed back in the studio.

Her recent work includes impressions while visiting Spain.