The Hospitality of Edinburgh

About

Patrick Keast is a local man and former alcoholic who got himself back on his feet with the support of Cyrenians and along the way picked up a camera to record the city and people around him. Patrick’s dramatic photos caught the eye of Trainspotting 2 assistant director, Garry Fraser, last year, their raw and honest view of the beauty and darkness of the city led Fraser to open Keast’s last exhibition in December.

Patrick, 47, suffered from alcohol addiction for many years, until he found the support of Cyrenians, a charity dedicated to supporting people excluded from family, home, work or community on their life journey. Patrick enrolled in a recovery programme and picked up a second-hand camera to photograph his journey to and from his rehab appointments.

A natural photo-journalist, Parick saw the city through fresh eyes, often capturing sights that many would walk by, including people living on the streets of Edinburgh. Other photos document his journey, the streets themselves and the views he enjoyed along the way. The resulting photos are an honest and raw portrayal of one man and his city.

Commenting on his photography, Patrick said: “Photography helped me get back on my feet after a very dffilcult time in my life. If my photos can help others who are going through a similar thing that would make me very proud.”

50% of the sale of the prints will go to Cyrennians, the charity that supported Patrick.