Latest news with #AqsaArif
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Shortlists announced for The List Festival Awards 2025
The shortlists have been announced for The List's Edinburgh Festival awards, unveiling the rich array of talent at the Art, Book, Film, Fringe and International festivals this summer. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Following the successful inaugural awards in 2024, this year's ceremony will include four new categories, celebrating the diversity of talent at the Edinburgh Festival. The incredible line-up of artists and works highlighted in the shortlists showcases the strong quality and power of work on offer in Edinburgh during August. The shortlists are as follows: ART - Best rising Scottish artist The List Festival Awards Aqsa Arif: Raindrops Of Rani, Edinburgh Printmakers Drawing on Pakistani folklore and imagery from the Sony Bravia Paint advert filmed in her childhood council flat, Aqsa Arif's multimedia installation that encompasses film, textile screenprints and sculpture probes themes of fractured identity, displacement and cultural synthesis. Hamish Halley: Please Keep, The People's Story Museum Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hamish Halley presents a poignant video piece that intertwines two narratives: the intimate act of cleaning his grandparents' home after their passing and the monumental transition of the Perth Museum's collection to a new space. Megan Rudden: Love In The Ecotone, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop This installation of new work explores the relationship between sculpture and language through the idea of the ecotone, a transitional space between two states. BOOKS - Best rising Scottish author Alessandra Thom Winner of 2023's Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award, Alessandra Thom has made her Edinburgh-set debut with Summer Hours, a sizzling story of what happens when the lines of friendship are blurred. Chris Barkley Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Man on the Endless Stair sees the beautiful Scottish Isles as remote, picturesque and the perfect backdrop for a murder mystery when troubled but talented young author Euan is taken there on a trip by decorated novelist Malcolm Furnivall. Michael Mullen Goonie is the raw and joyful debut collection from award-winning Scottish poet and spoken word artist Michael Mullen exploring queerness through fierce lyrical poetry and celebrating Mullen's beloved Scotland through vernacular vignettes. FILM - Best Scottish film Reality Is Not Enough, Paul Sng This striking new film directed by Paul Sng pays a fittingly eclectic homage to acclaimed Scottish author Irvine Welsh with an approach that is richly detailed, playful and complex. Neil Armstrong And The Langholmites, Duncan Cowles From BAFTA winner Duncan Cowles comes a wry, beautiful slice of Scottish life and a unique tale about on one of America's most famous sons. Lady Maclean, Catriona MacLeod Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A captivating short film Lady MacLean, championing a vibrant and unexpected story about the rural island communities we both know and love. INTERNATIONAL – Best Show Make It Happen, National Theatre Of Scotland This biting satire on the Scottish banking ambition that shattered the global economy starring legendary actor Brian Cox, provided unmissable drama, decadence, world-domination and a dizzying descent await. Orpheus & Eurydice, Opera Queensland & Circa Journey to the underworld and back with Opera Australia, presenting Opera Queensland's production of Orpheus & Eurydice in association with Circa, as heartbroken Orpheus has the chance to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld. Queen Of Scots, Scottish Ballet The fates of Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I are explored in this new Scottish Ballet epic which imagines a rich, resonant journey through memory, history and myth. This is punk meets haute couture. FRINGE – LQBTQIA+ Award Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Club NVRLND, David Adkin & RJG Productions, Assembly Checkpoint Featuring the biggest 2000s anthems and an intoxicating reunion between Wendy and Peter Pan, Club NVRLND is an irreverent, high-energy, nostalgia-fuelled immersive party where happy thoughts abound, drinks flow, and the night is always young. Kinder, Ryan Stewart, Underbelly Cowgate An unexpected call from a library derails a performance planned by newly arrived drag artist Goody Prostate, booked to headline a local reading hour, leading Goody to spiral into a chaotic exploration of childhood, memory, stories and what it means to truly grow up. Baby Doomer, Sam Nicoresti, Pleasance Courtyard LSQ Theatre New Comedian winner and Chortle Awards nominee brings a glistening new stand-up show about losing your mind, finding it again and the hunt for the perfect skirt suit as Sam Nicoresti felt themselves leave their body during a stressful home move. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She's Behind You, Traverse Theatre & National Theatre Of Scotland, Traverse Theatre Scotland's premiere dame, Johnny McKnight, and award-winning director John Tiffany deliver a riotous, heartfelt journey into the wild world of pantomime as She's Behind You unearths the magic and madness behind the curtain with a story as touching as it is hilarious. FRINGE – Best Dance, Circus & Physical Theatre Show The Genesis, Copenhagen Collective, Assembly Hall Experience a breathtaking acrobatic journey as 17 international artists unite to celebrate the spirit of Edinburgh Fringe through the joys of human connection. Inlet, Hani Dance, Assembly @ Dance Base Inspired by the myth of Romulus and Remus and the symbolic meaning of Rome's city walls, Inlet explores the significance of borders throughout history via raw movement and compelling visuals. Small Town Boys, Shaper/Caper, Zoo Southside Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Eight electrifying dancers bring the legendary Paradise Nightclub to life with a community cast, blurring the lines between performer and audience, encapsulating the joy and chaos of the club scene. FRINGE – Best Comedy Christbride, Bebe Cave, Pleasance Dome In the dark, deathly world of the Middle Ages, one (annoying) woman strives to find the light, as Christbride, a female mystic in a world of male dullards, escapes from a life of monotony to one of misplaced devotion. Is That A Cock In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me?, Jordan Gray, Assembly George Square Gardens Returning with a guitar on her back and a bounty on her ballbag is Jordan Gray with her rootin-est, tootin-est, shootin-est hour of musical comedy yet. Toxically Optimistic, Zainab Johnson, Pleasance Courtyard Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Zainab Johnson's Fringe debut explores being charitable on dates, owning a gun but refusing to kill, and a surprising friendship with a weird-looking animal. FRINGE – Best Kids The Box Show, Junkyard Beats, Assembly George Square With explosive drumming, dance, comedy and imagination, this is a high-energy family spectacular where four rhythmic misfits turn ordinary junk (wheelie bins, cardboard boxes, plastic bags) into a riot of percussive creativity. Cinderella Ice Cream Seller – A Musical, Little Seeds Music, Underbelly Bristo Square This exciting musical retelling of a fairytale classic is a delightful blend of storytelling, stunning live music and theatrical magic that will capture your heart and tickle your tastebuds. Funz & Gamez Rebootz, Phil Ellis, Monkey Barrel Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The smash-hit, Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning Funz & Gamez is back with a brand-new show and fresh gang of 'helpers', led by host Phil Ellis, providing audiences with a hilarious kids hour that's even more funz for adultz. FRINGE - Best show from Adelaide Chopin's Nocturne, Aidan Jones, Summerhall Combining classical piano and stand-up, Aidan Jones presents Chopin's Nocturne In Eb Major. But with actual jokes! Arthur Hull's FLOP – The Best Songs From The Worst Musicals Ever Written, Arthur Hull,Gilded Balloon At Appleton Tower A love letter to Broadway's biggest misfires from a self-proclaimed musical theatre nerd who aims to prove that even the dodgiest show might still have one tune to save it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence, Crash Theatre Co, Assembly George Square Studios Set in the cut-throat world of competitive netball, this electropop-infused cautionary tale explores the consequences of unchecked ambition and the fierce determination of teenage girls, bringing new life into a literary classic. Smile – The Story Of Charlie Chaplin, Marcel Cole, Pleasance Courtyard Charlie Chaplin, one of the greatest comedians of all time, is brought to the stage by dazzling performer Marcel Cole, for a one-hour treatment of The Little Tramp's extraordinary life and career. FRINGE – Sit-up Award Youth In Flames, Dare Theatre, Zoo Playground Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Amid the 2019 Hong Kong protests, Millie searches for her sense of home whilst a city fights for its identity. With original sound design blending euphoric techno and the intensity of a Hong Kong riot, enter Millie's world where being an outsider has always been the norm. Float, F-Bomb Theatre, Gilded Balloon Patter House A new autobiographical solo show by Indra Wilson about the lonely, turbulent journey of experiencing pregnancy loss as a queer young person. Featuring dynamic sound and projections, audiences are immersed in this unique, heartfelt and hopeful debut. Body Count, Issy Knowles, Pleasance Courtyard A one-woman dark comedy exploring the new era of sex work as a competitive sport, Body Count dives into the head and heart of one of society's most vilified women, uncovering the person behind the tabloids and stripping away male fantasy to reveal the humanity beneath. 24Weeks, Tatty Pants Theatre Company, Gilded Balloon Patter House Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 24Weeks explores a not-so-distant UK transformed by anti-abortion politics where choice is criminalised. We are left with no option but to make villains of ourselves and to make villains of those we love. FRINGE – International Fringe Encore Series Edinburgh Prize The shortlist for the International Encore Series Edinburgh Prize will be announced on Wednesday 19th August on The List's social media channels: Instagram (@thelistuk), Facebook (@thelistmagazine) and Blue Sky (@ See below for full details of the prize. FRINGE – Spirit of The Fringe Award An open award that pays tribute to a person, place or event that sums up the true spirit of the Edinburgh Fringe, to be announced on the day of the awards. The List Festival Awards are in partnership with Johnnie Walker Princes Street and will be hosted by Michael Pedersen and Gemma Cairney. Each List winner will receive a cash award of £500 with two further awards presented in partnership with other organisations. The Sit-Up Award winner will receive £5000 and a slot on the 2025/26 Fringe Encore series. The award aims to help harness the power of theatre to achieve greater social impact. The International Fringe Encore Series Edinburgh Prize will receive a run at the SoHo Playhouse in New York including accommodation and travel plus financial support. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Supporters of The List Festival Awards include LNER, Ghost Light Global, Data Thistle, The Pitt, Dishoom, Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, Set! Productions, Adelaide Fringe, Pure Life Plus and Johnnie Walker Princes Street. With a year-round monthly magazine (weekly during the Festival) and an extensive digital platform, The List publishes and distributes information on events and entertainment and is a must-read for finding out what's on. The List reviews approximately 400 shows across the Edinburgh Festival offering some of the most engaging, authoritative and extensive content for audiences.
The National
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Asylum seeker's exhibition explores politics of displacement
At its core lies the story of Aqsa Arif's arrival in the UK from Pakistan with her family. Initially placed in a high-rise council flat on Glasgow's Southside, they were moved years later for the production of Sony Bravia's 2006 Paint advert, which saw 70,000 litres of coloured paint explode in and over her childhood council flat. With a reported budget of £2 million, the advert resulted in the mostly working-class residents, refugees and asylum seekers being displaced and rehoused in other Glasgow high-rises. Arif told the Sunday National that being moved for the advert was the first time she truly sensed that her family had no control over where they lived, or what they could call home. READ MORE: 'Vital' mental health art exhibition at risk due to funding cuts 'There was a deep sense of being othered, of being displaced not for our benefit, but for something commercial, something glossy,' she said. 'It made us feel invisible, as though we were pieces to be moved around rather than people with needs, attachments, and roots. That experience has stayed with me, shaping how I think about belonging, visibility, and the politics of space.' Arif's new solo exhibition uses South Asian folklore to explore themes of displacement and assimilation. 'Moving to the UK was a significant shift for my family, one that to this day, remains largely unspoken,' she said. 'Perhaps out of trauma or necessity, there's been a strong emphasis on looking forward rather than dwelling on the past. I was five when we were placed by the Home Office in a high-rise flat in Scotland. At that age, I didn't have the language to understand the situation fully but I understood I had to adapt. I found myself in a predominantly white area where sectarianism, gang violence, and racism were very present realities.' Arif said there was a noticeable generational divide in how the family navigated this new and often hostile environment. READ MORE: Tree-planting is not climate change fix, report urges 'My mother, like many others, wanted to hold onto her culture, seeking familiarity and belonging in a place that made it clear we didn't quite fit in,' she said. 'For me, starting school meant learning quickly how to blend in and how to be accepted. At five years old, the question of which football team I supported (Celtic or Rangers) became more influential in forming friendships than the colour of my skin. But beneath those small negotiations was a larger pressure to assimilate and lose my heritage.' This generational tension between preservation and adaptation forms the emotional core of the exhibition. Arif said it had shaped the mother-daughter dynamic that runs through the work, reflecting not just the individual responses to displacement but also the silence and resilience that have come to define much of that shared experience. Displacement is one of the most pressing issues of our time, she believes. 'It's only intensifying,' she said. 'From the ongoing genocide in Palestine to the escalating impacts of the climate crisis, more and more people are being forced to leave their homes. 'In Raindrops Of Rani, I use the metaphor of a flood to explore this reality drawing on the colonial legacy of dams in Pakistan, which continue to cause devastation, particularly as climate change worsens.' Arif said that storytelling had the power to create connection and empathy. 'I hope that through the work, people see the complexity, grief, and resilience behind these experiences and resist the growing apathy that surrounds us,' she said. Raindrops Of Rani draws on the folk tragedy Heer Ranjha a well-known South Asian folktale, as a way of creating space for emotion, memory, and imagination without the constraints of hard facts. 'Through this lens, I could explore the fear of not fitting in, the shifting perceptions of my mother and the loneliness of being a child trying to adapt,' said Arif. 'Fantasy gives me a realm where audiences can connect through empathy rather than instruction. It's not about being didactic but about inviting people to sit with the relationships, emotions, and dynamics that might resonate with their own experiences, especially through the archetypes and symbols rooted in South Asian storytelling. Folklore, in my practice, is a bridge between personal and collective memory.' Aqsa Arif: Raindrops Of Rani runs until November 2. It is one of two exhibitions Edinburgh Printmakers are showcasing as part of the 2025 Edinburgh Art Festival which runs until August 24
