Detail of Bugarin + Castle, Set Upon, part of Shame Parade curated by Mount Stuart Trust for Scotland + Venice 2026. Image by Ryan Scott.
For me, Bugarin + Castle are quite easily the standout artists at this year’s Venice Biennale. Both young and right at the beginning of their collaborative artistic career, Davide Bugarin and Angel Cohn Castle first crossed paths in Edinburgh, where they were both performing in the city’s queer cabaret scene. Read more
The camera I took with me to Venice belonged to my dad; he bought it in the 1980s and it has travelled with him all over the world. Some of the first photographs of me to ever exist were taken on this camera. Read more
Image by Dimitri D’Ippolito
In a new partnership between Scotland + Venice and The Skinny, we can now introduce the Emerging Writers in Venice opportunity for selected participants from the Professional Development Programme. During their time with Shame Parade, Senior Exhibition Associate Lily Lavorato and Exhibition Associates Samuel Riddy, Annabelle Crowner and Bessie Schofield will share ideas and write an article that draws inspiration from their time in Venice, whether an exhibition review, interview or feature. Read more
I’m Beth Primrose, a student who has just graduated from Contemporary Art Practice at Edinburgh College. I’ve been lucky enough to come to Venice as an Exhibition Associate as part of the Scotland + Venice Personal Development Programme. Read more
A three-chapter film featuring insights during the production and preparation for the opening of Shame Parade, a project by Bugarin + Castle curated by Mount Stuart Trust for Scotland + Venice at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Read more
Sophie Crichton Stuart greeting a friend at the opening of Shame Parade. Photo by Dimitri D’Ippolito.
Sophie Crichton Stuart is the Chair of the Mount Stuart Trust. She is additionally the founding Director of the Contemporary Visual Arts Programme at Mount Stuart, which this year celebrates its 25 year anniversary and curated Bugarin + Castle's Shame Parade. Read more
In Chapter 3, we join the artists and organisers in Venice ahead of the opening of Shame Parade to see the works in situ, and hear directly from Bugarin + Castle and Morven Gregor as well as Emma Nicolson and Chris Rawcliffe as they share insights into Shame Parade. Read more
NORTHSTAR performing at the evening reception of Shame Parade
Our opening evening event for Shame Parade was soundtracked by NORTH STAR, who captured the celebration perfectly with an atmospheric set; building a range of sound from ambient to budots before closing the evening with Mull of Kintyre and the iconic Born Slippy. Read more
In Chapter 2, Scotland + Venice Programme Manager Gayle Meikle introduces the Professional Development Programme as they participate in training at Mount Stuart Trust. This year's presentation by Bugarin + Castle for the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia will be curated by Dr. Read more
Scotland + Venice PDP Cohort at Mount Stuart. Image by Neil Hanna.
Scotland + Venice's Professional Development Programme will feature paid opportunities for 17 early career visual arts professionals to spend time at La Biennale di Venezia. While in Venice, the cohort will look after and advocate for Scotland + Venice's presentation by Bugarin + Castle, using their pre-Venice training to help visitors engage with the artist's exhibition Shame Parade, while also building confidence in talking about contemporary art, expanding international networks and having the opportunity to explore the wealth of art on display across Venice. Read more
