Born in Syracuse, New York, and based between New York and Glasgow, artist Christian Noelle Charles is transforming a gallery at Edinburgh Printmakers into a colourful beauty salon, with a unique presentation of screenprints, as part of a project exploring the rhythms, movement, and the body language of women of colour. The works move between three media – printmaking, video and performance – and the screenprinted portraits are presented framed by beauty-salon workstations, with conversations playing out on the salon radio, while Vogue Beauty Secrets-style videos run on the salon TVs. Additionally, a large mural will fill the back wall of the space, inspired by The Sugar Shack by 20th-century American painter (and footballer) Ernie Barnes. The five portraits are being gradually revealed on Instagram, including featuring artists and performers Saoirse Amira Anis, Sekai Machache, Cass Ezeji and Mele Broomes.

The exhibition, which forms a part of the 2023 Edinburgh Art Festival, features an artist talk, a monoprinting workshop, and an American-style block party.

The Printmaker’s shop supports the Own Art finance scheme, which makes purchasing works more affordable by spreading the cost over 10 months at 0% interest.