Family Portrait

A four screen immersive video installation. Co-created and co-directed by Robbie Synge and Natasha Gilmore (Barrowland Ballet) and edited by Robbie Synge.

Family Portrait is an interactive video installation work, combining striking imagery and choreography, capturing Barrowland Ballet’s Artistic Director, Natasha Gilmore, and her three children in an intimate portrayal of family life.

Audiences will see the family through choreographed sequences and more candid, natural ‘off camera’ moments as they encounter and embrace the many different landscapes of Scotland.

With space to roam, the children encounter rabbit skulls, converse with spiders, make war paint with berries and discover the fun of burying their mother in bark.

The work takes us on a geographical and emotional journey, giving the audience an in-depth insight into what it is to be a mother and a single parent to three young children. With humour and candour, the work shares an honest depiction of what family really is – responsibility, joy, balance, intimacy and, most of all, love. A celebration of getting out into nature, it invites you into an intimate journey of family relationships with all its relentless and glorious chaos!

"dazzling and full of depth... a powerful narrative, through images and movement, about motherhood and creativity, and the relationship between the two” ★★★★ - The Scotsman

"It is as pure a picture of joy and love as they come." ★★★★★ - The Stage

"charming, funny and touching. A heart-warming family portrait which will bring tears to your eyes. ★★★★★ - Broadway Baby
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" this heartwarming video installation takes us to the heart of our natural world." ★★★★ - The List

"beautifully clear, crystal sharp cinematography...the audience member quickly becomes immersed in a joyful, quirky, sometimes contemplative and inventively original audio-visual experience" - The National

Made In Scotland Showcase (Edinburgh Fringe) 2023

Previously toured to:

Hakawy International Arts Festival 2022

Baboro International Children’s Festival 2022

DanceLive, Citymoves 2022

The Lowry, EDITS series exhibition 2022

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2022

Theatre in Schools Scotland Tour 2022

Belfast International Children’s Festival 2022

Esplanade, Singapore 2022

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2021

Take Me Somewhere, 2021