On the past December 3rd, I had the privilege of joining the BirdsNest Gallery team to commemorate the launch of their winter exhibition during the Inside Out poetry reading event. The purpose of the occasion was to explore the intricate relationship between spaces and the self, a central theme in the BirdsNest Gallery exhibition. The event featured some of Scotland’s emerging voices, including poets like Mattea Gernentz, Olivia Calderón, Hermione Byron, Gabrielle Tse, Isabelle Phoebe, and even the gallery’s founder, Natalia (Sho) Brand, who shared some beautifully translated Chinese poems for the first time.
What made this afternoon particularly memorable, beyond the exchange of beautiful poems with friends and audience members, was the revelation of the potential synergy between poetry and art within the enchanting BirdsNest Gallery.
Established in 2020, the BirdsNest Gallery stands as a diverse cultural hub nestled in Edinburgh’s Southside. This unique Victorian venue boasts exhibition spaces, a mini-cinema, an artist studio, and an extensive library. The gallery organizes quarterly exhibitions, featuring both contemporary artists and a substantial collection of over 300 artworks dating back to the early 19th century.
Situated inconspicuously within one of the many flat buildings on Clerk Street, it’s easy to miss if you’re not familiar with its location. The gallery is open every day from 2 pm to 6 pm, and I highly recommend a visit to discover an oasis of art and Victorian décor in the heart of the city!
To find out more about BirdsNest, you can visit their website here
