Splash out on prints atpool-themed pop-up

Edinburgh-based photographer Soo Burnell is hosting a pop-up sale and exhibition in Stockbridge.

By capturing the beauty and architecture of the Capital’s Victorian baths, her latest series of images helps to convey their often-unseen magic, while evoking memories for those who grew up using their local pool.

Prints from the collection, titled Poolside, will be available to view and buy at Space at 17 – a new concept venue in Stockbridge – from December 16 to 22, 11am to 5.30pm daily.

Soo started the series by accident after photographing Glenogle Swim Centre two years ago. She was so entranced by the architecture of the building, the striking geometry, graphic lines and colour palette of the space, that the one-off project turned into a series of pictures of pools across Edinburgh.

It now includes images of Warrender, Portobello, Glenogle, Leith Victoria, Dalry and Drumsheugh Baths, along with her first images of the city’s iconic Commonwealth Pool.

“I have had two exhibitions at the Saorsa Art Gallery in Stockbridge, but this is my first pop-up sale. I’m really excited to be exhibiting in the beautiful Space at 17 and to be part of the St Stephen Street community in the run-up to Christmas,” she says.

“The area has a fantastic appreciation of local artists and makers, and it is great to see so much enthusiasm for shopping local this year and support for small businesses.” Soo herself regularly went swimming in some of the featured pools without appreciating their architecture at the time. She adds: “I love seeing the way people react to these images. It’s a trip down memory lane for lots of people. And it’s a real shared connection for families – generations have used and loved these pools.

“People remember going years ago and everyone has a real fondness for the pool they grew up close to.”