We love discovering new and exciting independent businesses in the city. We love it even more when they are an active part of their communities and offer support to local up-and-coming artists, and that’s exactly what Studio Flamingosaurus Rex are all about. We chat to the Bruntsfield-based gallery/art store about why they love the sense of identity in the area so much, what they look for in artists they feature, and how you can get involved in supporting the local Edinburgh art scene.
Can you tell us a bit about the background of the store and gallery space? What inspired you to create such a place?
Flamingosaurus Rex was conceived as a multi-functional artistic space whose main aim is to showcase the work of locally-based, emerging artists and designers. We took a look around and saw how much creativity was brimming all around us, so when the opportunity came up to become an active part of supporting that creativity we jumped on it!
You carefully curate the items in the shop. What do you look for in artists and independent creators? Who are some of your favourite local artists featured in the space?
Our main requirement is that the work engages us in some way and corresponds to our gallery’s aesthetic. Aside from that, we like to experiment with new product ranges and areas and are always open to ideas.
Our gallery has featured work by a number of local artists at this stage and there are particular pieces or exhibitions that have significance to us for various reasons. Artists like Ross MacRae have consistently drawn attention from a very early stage – his Forth Rail Bridge print has been a bestseller – and amongst more recent additions, we’re thrilled to be featuring work by ECA artist in residence Pilar Garcia de Leaniz.
You like to showcase and support predominantly Scotland-based artists and designers. How can people support the local art scene in Edinburgh?
All we can say is that it’s happening all around you, so just get involved! We’re constantly discovering new pockets of activity around the city, whether it’s exhibitions showcasing artists at the cutting edge, or enterprising designers and makers selling their wares at the various markets & outlets the city has to offer.
Galleries we like to stay up-to-date with include The Number Shop, Edinburgh Pale9e at St Margaret’s House, and a relatively new addition on our radar, DOK Artist Space. Incidentally, it will be a whole lot easier to locate and plan your trips to these (and other) galleries when the Kaleidoscope Art Circuit is launched later this year – we’re emphatic in our support if this new initiative to provide a platform for independent art spaces across the city… watch this space – www.kaleidoscopeac.com
You always have a busy schedule of events happening at the space. What exciting events do you have coming up?
Thanks for asking! We do try to stay busy and it’s exciting to surround ourselves with as much new art as we can fit in here.
Our current show is a solo exhibition by Edinburgh based Duncan-of Jordanston graduate Alice Carnegie, aka Allolune. The show is called Bubble Gum; in the words of the artist, “a playful exploration of female empowerment and a celebration of the complexities of women.” As well as a host of colourfully illustrated characters on the wall, there’s also a retro-style arcade games cabinet designed by the artist in collaboration with We Throw Switches.
Beyond that, we’ll be exploring a post-apocalyptic, zombie-ridden Edinburgh wasteland with another solo show by Edinburgh-based digital illustrator Calum Carr (whose designs you may recognise from Stewart Brewing beer labels) that launches on Hallowe’en weekend.
What do you love the most about Bruntsfield? Do you have any other local businesses in the area you could recommend to visitors?
We love Bruntsfield’s strong and independent identity, which can clearly be felt while exploring the various businesses installed along the stretch. We’ve had a couple of fairly recent openings near here, with Upright Gallery making a most welcome addition to the independent art scene a few months ago, and Castello Coffee providing an energising caffeine injection. It would be remiss of us to not mention Edinburgh Art Shop (though they are down the road in Tollcross) for keeping us supplied with Poscas, and when lunch4me rolls around we are always tempted to take a stroll to Meltmongers for one of their deliciously decadent toasties. Mmmmmm.
Find out more about Studio Flamingosaurus Rex here.
