Declaration of Dumbiedykes 2023

The Declaration of Dumbiedykes (April 2023) documents the exterior spaces and façades of the Dumbiedykes housing estate in Edinburgh, focusing on small details, surfaces and quieter moments within the built environment.

The work came from an awareness of the strong sense of community within the estate, set against how it’s often portrayed. Rather than reinforcing those narratives, I focused on how the space is actually lived in. The tower blocks, repainted in Coral Green and Viking Blue, were intended to soften their appearance from Arthur’s Seat, a major tourist viewpoint, raising questions around surface level change and perception.

Made shortly after the death of local resident Lewis McCartney, the work takes a more reflective approach. It marked a shift in my practice, where photography became a way of holding space for lived experience, loss and visibility.