OnFife is delighted to welcome back Cath Ruane for another exhibition at one of our Community Galleries – this time, Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries.  This exhibition is part of Outwith Festival 2025

Cath Ruane: Photographer and Creative Artist

Cath Ruane is a photographer and creative artist from Kirkcaldy. When lockdown began, she was working in a full-time job, but her experience of working from home was quite different from what others enjoyed. Instead of finding it convenient, Cath felt stuck at a makeshift desk, staring at several computer screens and missing the human connection – definitely not her idea of a good time.

She made a brave decision to leave her job and pursue full-time education by studying photography at Fife College.

Cath’s first solo exhibition in 2024 highlighted the music scene in Kirkcaldy, using traditional photography and different techniques such as cyanotype prints mounted on old vinyl records. She is currently collaborating with writer, Lisa May Young, on a rolling exhibition called ‘Veterans Here and Now’ which tells the stories of Fife veterans.

Cath’s photography passion is events, especially music, and anything where people are at the heart, specialising in capturing candid portraits. Her work is all designed to tell a story. She sees life through a lens, looking at light, shade and composition in what may appear mundane things.

Her creative efforts are all inspired by her photography resulting in traditional photographs, heavily altered images, collages and various printing techniques. She is always learning something new, from drawing to jewellery and has even attempted some welding! 

Cath is always looking at ways to incorporate new ideas into her photography. Now, she’s excited to share her second solo exhibition, ‘Igniting the Imagination’

Exhibition: Outwith Festival – Igniting the Imagination

Outwith is a friendly music and arts festival that comes to life every September in the City of Dunfermline. The festival has been running for several years and has grown bigger and more varied each year, featuring everything from music and art to design, yoga, children’s activities, theatre, cheese and wine tasting and so much more.

Describing her Outwith experience, Cath says:

“I had the opportunity to dip into over 40 events at the Outwith Festival in 2024. This exhibition celebrates the diversity of the festival and all the images in this exhibition are based on original photographs taken at last year’s festival.

Some use alternative printing techniques on different materials, while others are more traditional. Some images may evoke strong reactions, but I hope they all inspire thought. I truly hope that my images capture the excitement of the Outwith Festival and encourage you to visit some of the amazing events at this year’s festival, which will take place from 3rd to 7th September 2025.

I would like to extend a special thanks to Michelle McWilliams and Jane Livingstone, two of the Trustees who gave me the opportunity to attend so many events and had faith that I would capture the spirit of the festival. I also want to thank all the volunteers who were always so kind and helpful.”

Find Cath on Instagram @cathruane007