This summer, Edinburgh’s City Art Centre presents Start from the Level, the largest exhibition ever dedicated to photographer and community activist Sandra George (1957–2013). Opening on 27 June as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival, the landmark show brings together more than two decades of powerful images documenting the city’s communities, social movements, and everyday life through George’s compassionate and deeply human lens.
Start from the Level is produced in partnership with Craigmillar Now, an arts and heritage centre based in Craigmillar, who hold Sandra’s collection in their community archive, and is part of the Edinburgh Art Festival.
The exhibition brings together photographs spanning more than two decades, many of which will be shown publicly for the first time. Drawn from Sandra’s extensive archive, the exhibition offers a powerful portrait of Edinburgh’s communities and explores themes of identity, activism, motherhood, belonging, and social justice.
Sandra George, Unemployment Demo – Glasgow, 1981. Courtesy Craigmillar Now © Sandra George Estate
Born in Nottingham and raised between Jamaica and the UK before settling in Edinburgh, she became widely known for her work as a community organiser and advocate. Alongside this, she developed a prolific photographic practice, documenting everyday life across Edinburgh and beyond from the late 1970s through to the early 2000s.
Through her lens, she captured both intimate personal moments and wider social movements, creating a remarkable visual record of the city and the people who shaped it. Her photographs are united by a deep sense of humanity and a commitment to representing people with dignity, openness, and care.
Sandra George, Craigmillar School, 1994. Courtesy Craigmillar Now © Sandra George Estate
The exhibition takes its title from Sandra’s own words: her desire to “start from the level people are based”. This guiding principle informed her work throughout her life, resulting in an extraordinary body of photography that remains as relevant and resonant today as ever.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said:
“Sandra George’s photographs offer an invaluable record of Edinburgh and its communities, seen through the eyes of someone deeply committed to social justice, equality, and human connection.
This landmark exhibition celebrates not only her extraordinary talent as a photographer, but also her lasting contribution to the cultural and community life of our city.
We are proud to bring this important body of work to audiences and ensure that Sandra’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.”
Sandra George, Leith, 1979. Courtesy Craigmillar Now © Sandra George Estate
In addition to the exhibition at City Art Centre, a special outdoor presentation of Sandra’s work will be displayed on street-side billboard and poster sites across Edinburgh from 22 June for three weeks in partnership with BuildHollywood.
Featuring photographs taken throughout the city, the displays will appear in Fountain Park, Teviot and Meadowbank, bringing George’s images directly into the public spaces she documented.
The Exhibition runs from 27 June and running until 27 September 2026
Find out more on the Culture Edinburgh website.
