Party Walls, photographs by Robb Mcrae
Velorose, 1 June 2017 - 23 June 2017

Velorose, an architectural / design studio and art gallery in Charterhouse Square, continues its exhibitions programme with a show that explores the theme of memory in architecture through a series of photographs that artfully reveal a rarely-noticed aspect of London. In ‘Party Walls’, photographer Robb Mcrae uncovers the residue of continuous urban development in the city by drawing our gaze and attention to the slivered remnants of buildings long gone

A party wall is an English structure that stands on the boundary between two properties and is shared by the two owners. As buildings are demolished and rebuilt, it is often more straightforward – from both legal and construction points of view - to maintain the shared (aka ‘party’) wall, and to erect a new structure immediately alongside. As the city evolves, slender traces of no-longer existent buildings survive almost buried within the streetscape

Shot with a large-format camera, Mcrae’s work documents with feeling these subtle structures which draw the boundary between adjacent properties. The patina developed by a place suggests an atmosphere of accumulated history, of both loss and optimism; these nearly-invisible fragments of the past embody and transmit such memories.

This show was part of the London Festival of Architecture 2017
This show was exhibited as part of the Architecture Fringe 2017, Glasgow

All works are for sale; contact gallery@velorose.com for details

Robb Mcrae, Untitled (Eastcastle Street) (2010), 4 x 5 large format (Toyo-View Monorail camera)

Robb Mcrae, Untitled (Hackney Road) (2011), 4 x 5 large format (Toyo-View Monorail camera)

Robb Mcrae, Untitled (Leather Lane) (2012), 4 x 5 large format (Toyo-View Monorail camera)

Robb Mcrae, Untitled (Clerkenwell Road) (2013), 4 x 5 large format (Toyo-View Monorail camera)

Robb Mcrae, Untitled (Cheshire Street) (2013), 4 x 5 large format (Toyo-View Monorail camera)

Robb Mcrae, Untitled (Britton Street) (2014), 4 x 5 large format (Toyo-View Monorail camera)

Robb Mcrae, Untitled (Old Street) (2014), 4 x 5 large format (Toyo-View Monorail camera)

Robb Mcrae (the middle names of architect Andy Summers) is a photographer currently based in Glasgow, Scotland. His work often stems from circumstances found within the built environment and touches on themes such as urban perception, visual democracy and atmosphere of place

Working in digital, large format and Polaroid mediums, projects include architectural, landscape and portrait work. Documentation has included commissions from the City of London to record the Sculpture in the City festival and shows for several London galleries

As an architect he lived and practised in London for over 10 years, working for Terry Pawson, Trevor Horne and for five years, Zaha Hadid. He teaches architecture at the University of Edinburgh

Robb Mcrae, Clerwood, No.3 (2015) from the series 'Edinburgh, Too’ (digital)

Robb Mcrae, Sighthill, No.1 (2015) from the series 'Edinburgh, Too’ (digital)

Robb Mcrae, Alexa, Curator, london (2010) from the series 'Self Employed’ (digital)

Robb Mcrae, Fleur, Independent PA, london (2010) from the series 'Self Employed’ (digital)

Robb Mcrae, Aonghus macneacail, poet, songwriter (2014) from the series 'Inspired by Independence’ (digital)

Robb Mcrae, Janie Nicoll, Visual Artist (2014) from the series 'Inspired by Independence' (digital)

Robb Mcrae, NY+05 (2010) from the series ‘Polaroids’ (Polaroid)

Robb Mcrae, NY+07 (2010) from the series ‘Polaroids’ (Polaroid)