Alongside a rich programme of exhibitions and events curated by partners across the city, each year Edinburgh Art Festival invites Scottish and international artists to make and present new projects specifically for the festival.
We are committed to championing the production and presentation of new work, inviting artists at all stages of their careers into conversation with the city, often offering rare public access to important historic buildings, and always engaging audiences in citywide debates around wider social issues. This year we are proud to collaborate with a range of partners to support and present a programme of new commissions and UK premieres by artists working in Scotland, UK and internationally.
Isaac Julien
Lessons of the Hour
We are delighted to present the UK premiere of Isaac Julien’s Lessons of Hour, in partnership with National Galleries Scotland. This new ten-screen film installation by internationally acclaimed British filmmaker Isyaac Julien, offers a poetic meditation on the life and times of Frederick Douglass.
Sean Lynch
Tak’ Tent O’ Time Ere Time Be Tint
Co-commissioned by Edinburgh Art Festival and Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, Lynch’s new project casts a spotlight on Edinburgh’s public monuments and sculptures, today subject to ongoing civic processes to have society acknowledge and understand the legacies of history.
Emeka Ogboh
Song of the Union
Co-commissioned by Edinburgh Art Festival and Talbot Rice Gallery, Ogboh’s newly commissioned sound installation sited in Edinburgh’s Burns Monument is a response to the ongoing theatre surrounding the U.K.’s departure from the European Union.
Associate Artist Programme
What happens to desire…
We are delighted to collaborate with artist, film-maker and programmer Tako Taal, to present this series of artists’ projects for the 2021 commissions programme from Chizu Anucha, Sequoia Barnes, Francis Dosoo, Thulani Rachia, Camara Taylor and Matthew Arthur Williams.