A Dundee art gallery claims it’s been forced to close due to “toxic” fumes and noise from a neighbouring garage.
Gallery owner and photographer Kathryn Rattray has closed her gallery at Meadow Mill in West Henderson’s Wynd.
The photographer said she has been experiencing problems with her neighbours, a car body repair shop since May.
She claims the gallery fills up with fumes from car spray paint and the noise makes it impossible for her to work.
She said she has been forced to cancel a festive event and move her exhibition.
Ms Rattray opened her gallery in the Meadow Mill building in 2017 to showcase local artists.
She said: “We had to move out because I can’t operate anymore.
“There’s harmful paint fumes filling my gallery and the noise is far too much.”
Kathryn Rattray Gallery attempts at resolution
Since the problems first arose earlier this year, she has been in touch with the garage, her landlord and environmental health.
Ms Rattray says they have not been able to find a solution.
She said: “It’s been so intense. I’m just a wee five foot five lassie fighting with men, that’s not easy.
“I keep feeling like I’m the mouse out of the Gruffalo down there.”
The garage carries the sign of FixnDrive – but according to Companies House, this company dissolved in December 2020.
The Courier has made several attempts to speak to the building’s current occupier.
Dundee City Council said it was a matter for the Health and Safety Executive, also contacted for comment by The Courier.
Landlord DIA Business Properties was unavailable for comment.
Dock Street Studios to the rescue
The gallery was due to be open last weekend for a Christmas pop-up, but Ms Rattray felt it was impossible for her to go ahead with the event.
After sharing her frustration on Instagram, another local gallery owner reached out to her.
Sara Campbell of Dock Street Studios offered Ms Rattray space in her gallery to go ahead with her exhibition.
Ms Rattray says: “I felt like it was a movie scene, like one of these Hollywood Christmas movies.
“I felt like I was running down the street in Manhattan, swapping galleries and setting up shop and it’s magical and special.
“It really gives you hope that in this world we’re in that there’s a real level of kindness and people are reaching out to help.
“We’re in difficult times, so the gratitude I have right now for Sara and Dock Street Studio is overwhelming.”
Unsure future for Kathryn Rattray Gallery
While the Kathryn Rattray Gallery Christmas exhibition is able to go ahead, the gallery owner is unsure what to do next.
With exhibitions planned for next year, she hopes to be able to move back into her gallery again.
She says: “Either they go or I go.
“I’m trying to operate a real cultural hub for Dundee by representing artists that don’t normally get represented in galleries.
“For that to not be there because the gallery is full of car spray paint fumes is incredibly crazy to me.”
