POP LIFE: a musical journey through contemporary figurative art

Edinburgh's City Art Centre, our sister venue, is currently hosting POP LIFE, an exhibition that explores the intersection of popular culture and contemporary figurative drawing. If you haven’t had the chance to visit the exhibition, music is featured. Recently the artists have been sharing their favourite tracks with us and we’ve put together a Spotify playlist for you to enjoy.

These tracks were instrumental in shaping their creative processes and serve as a sonic backdrop to the exhibition’s exploration of identity and culture. The playlist is an eclectic mix of genres and eras, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that inform the works on display.

Among the tracks featured are Pop Life by Prince, Cosmic Love by Florence + the Machine, VANITY by Icebox Violet, and Can You Hear Me by David Bowie. These songs, along with others like Annabel by Goldfrapp and Dolly Parton’s iconic Jolene, form an energetic and reflective soundtrack to the exhibition. Each song represents a layer of pop culture and personal expression, resonating with the artists' exploration of self-image, fame, and societal pressures.

As the exhibition continues its journey, POP LIFE serves as both a reflection and a critique of the cultural landscape we navigate today. The inclusion of Scottish artists and the adaptation of the exhibition to fit the local context bring a fresh perspective to the conversation. Whether through the bold lines of figurative drawing or the reflective tones of the curated playlist, POP LIFE invites viewers to consider how art and culture intersect, evolve, and ultimately shape our understanding of the world around us.

Image credit: Jamie Fitzpatrick, Red in sweet Tooth and sweet Boots 1, 2022 © the artist