A MASS protest was held yesterday as part of the continuing campaign against the closure of an Edinburgh art gallery which they claim is “the beating heart of contemporary art in Scotland”.
The decision by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to close Inverleith House after more than 30 years of exhibitions has prompted outrage from artists and those working in the visual arts, culminating in a “mass visit” to the gallery designed to keep the pressure on.
The event was organised by the I Still Believe in Inverleith House group while a petition calling for the closure decision to be reversed has so far attracted nearly 11,000 signatures. An open letter, signed by over 230 artists, gallery directors and celebrities, has added its voice to the protests, with signatories including Tracey Emin and Cindy Sherman.
Located within the grounds of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith House has presented more exhibitions by Turner Prize winners and nominees than any other gallery in the UK apart from the Tate.
Campaigners claim Inverleith House is “the most highly respected, valued, and internationally recognised public gallery for contemporary art in Scotland” with some describing the closure as “sickening”.
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