For the Creative Industries unit we were all tasked with aqcuiring and completing a placement of work experience for one day in line with our chosen genre for our report. I had chosen fine art photography and so I wanted to experience a day at a gallery to see one of the many ventures fine art photographers may explore in their career. Because I plan to move outside of Central Scotland shortly after I am finished with my studies, I wanted to choose a gallery which would be in a location that would be similar to where I plan to live. I looked at a lot of small, rural, and some community run, galleries in a variety of locations from Skye, the outter Hebrides, Dumfries and Galloway, and the Highlands (this list is not exhaustive). I would have loved to visit Skye again and have a long weekend away to coincide with my work experience however, it wasn’t feesible and so I contacted a few other galleries on the mainland, within reasonable distance, and a few replied that were happy for me to come for the day.

After looking at each gallery and the work that they exhibited, I settled on The Shed Gallery based in Kinloch Rannoch, a rural gallery run by Ian Biggs. Biggs was originally from England, but had dreamed of moving to Scotland for many years. After an opportunity arose, he settled on Kinloch Rannoch and took over the gallery from the previous persons after they moved away. Biggs work focus’ on the natural world and his fine art landscapes are what led to my deciding on The Shed Gallery for this unit. I have included some of his work;

                                    Biggs, I. Unknown.                                                                  Biggs, I. Unknown.

Due to its location, the gallery closes between December and February, and finds its busiest months are in the summer due to better weather. It is located down a single track road and this often succumbs to the Scottish winter so it can be quiet at this time of year.

Once I arrived and introduced myself I took my time looking at the work on display. Biggs explained that he would like to show more of his fine art work as that was his passion but included work that would cater to tourists as well. He has also formed a great working relationship with the hotel directly opposite him; he exhibits his work in the hotel and had another exhibition over Dec and Jan at Robertson’s. When speaking of his work, he had said that he wants to continue exhibiting his work in other galleries’ and often obtained them through word of mouth.

Because of the time of year the gallery was very quiet, with 2 customers all day. However, this gave Ian and I a chance to discuss his background and how he ended up moving to Scotland as well as talking about his photography over the years. He then showed me his printer, his collection of frames, and the different kinds of paper he used depending on what he was printing. We also spoke about other things he does to bring in money like printing jobs for local organisations and business; pamphlets etc.

Soon after we had lunch, and then we wandered over to the hotel across the road and looked at the prints he exhibited there. The hotel was very grand, and his fine art prints were right at home. Other local businesses also have some of his work, including prints and calendars.

When The Shed Gallery is closed, Biggs spends his time taking out photography novices and tourists for photographic workshops in the local area. He also spends a lot of time out and about in the countryside hiking, camping, and of course capturing the beautiful landscape.

Overall I feel I learnt a lot from my work experience, including expected running costs and profits, as well as how to diservify your work and time into other things to bring in more revenue. I really enjoyed the community aspect of the rural gallery and how it worked alongside other businesses and organisations in the local area to promote the local area.

Work Experience Form

Bibliography

Online Sources

• Biggs, I. Unknown. Available from: https://www.ianbiggs.net/scottish-highlands?lightbox=dataItem-j7rrmy11 [Accessed 01/12/18]