Selected Photography and Video Reviews
A Spot of b)other"This eye-opening exhibition explores complex identities and histories of LGBTI deaf and disabled Scots. Artist Sandra Alland, in collaboration with like-minded artists, expresses true dedication to equality and human rights through the effective use of portraits, poems and film."
– Diva Magazine, February 2010
“Spanning a variety of media this exhibition features text pieces, photo works, Fingers - a British Sign Language filmed poetry performance by Alison Smith, and Here - Alland's documentary that deals with LGBTI immigrants in Edinburgh. Accompanying this are nine portraits.
The show aims to broaden perceptions about gender and sexuality and force individuals to rethink their ideas about ability. Exhibitions which confront ongoing, underlying prejudice are a necessary interlude to the vast array of self referencing and self involved exhibitions that speak solely to people within the art community. Whilst this show may not whip up quite the media frenzy some of its recent predecessors at GoMA have, it does defiantly tackle LGBTI and Deaf and Disabled issues head on without taking itself too seriously.”
– The Skinny (Glasgow/Edinburgh), November 2009
(full story here)
Play
“Alland is an up-and-coming photographer with a quirky vision and loads of potential...The photos are like installations, possessing a theatricality and performance…powerful and eerily beautiful.”
– Margaret Webb, arts writer, Xtra! (full story here)