A new exhibition at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery showcases the work of photographer Wendy McMurdo, whose images capture children interacting with early computers and the internet during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Exploring the Dawn of the Digital Era
McMurdo’s photographs, taken over two decades, document young people engaged with bulky desktop computers, dial-up internet connections, and early digital devices. The images highlight the novelty and wonder of technology that is now commonplace.
The exhibition, titled Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Child, includes works from series such as The Wonder and The Game, which examine how children navigated the emerging digital landscape.
Childhood and Technology
McMurdo’s work often places children in staged, surreal settings, blending reality with the virtual. In one image, a girl sits before a computer monitor while a duplicate of herself appears on screen, exploring themes of identity and representation in the digital world.
The exhibition runs until 22 November 2026 at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.
