Irvine children’s art goes on show at National Portrait Gallery!

Children and young people from Irvine visited the National Portrait Gallery earlier last month to see their art on display.  

The Children from Boutreehill worked with artists Iman Tajik and Katie Lowe to create an installation art piece at their local park in partnership with local charity Children 1st and National Galleries of Scotland. 

The children and their families tied brightly coloured ribbons around trees in an underused part of Bourtreehill park to symbolise the rich bonds between the families and the local area.  

A photograph of the installation is now on display in the National Portrait Gallery as part of the You Are Here exhibition taken by Glasgow based photographer Eoin Carey.  

Erin Sommerville, Project Worker for Community Engagement, Children 1st Irvine said:  

“This has been a magical experience for young people and their families. They loved working together to create such a striking piece of art and seeing the whole community of Bourtreehill enjoy it. To see it displayed in the national gallery is absolutely amazing.  

“Everyone that has been involved should be so proud of themselves for taking part.”  

Kirsty Aitken Service Manager Children 1st said of the trip:  

“For most of the families involved, the trip to the National Gallery was an adventure that they would have never considered  or had the confidence to take part in, before getting involved in this project.” 

A photographic print of the Art Ribbon installation is on display as part of the You Are Here 2022 exhibition at Scottish National Portrait Gallery until Sunday the 8th of January 2023. 

Those unable to make the trip to Edinburgh can get the chance to see the artwork on exhibition at The Portal Irvine alongside other young people’s ribbon artwork, open to the public until October. 

To find out more about the You Are Here Exhibit visit: You are Here 2022 | National Galleries of Scotland