Glasgow Held and Heard
As my practice evolved throughout my final year at the Glasgow School of Art, I was drawn to the idea of presenting a resolved body of work for the Degree Show – one that would both honour but bid farewell to the city that has impacted me greatly. A project focused on the Archives of Glasgow throughout the late 20th century. The works meditate on connection, nostalgia and estrangement – a love letter and a parting glance at a city that has become my second home.
Delving into the city’s past, I sought not merely to document, but to re-imagine a transforming Glasgow – capturing its vibrancy, culture, and great resilience. Amidst all this change, one constant remained: the enduring importance of human connection. Then, as present day, our relationships ground us, define us, and remain a quiet steadfast through the chaos of change – even when we fail to recognise it.
My journey began with the personal: photographs of family and friends, fragments of joy and memory. From this intimate starting point, my work expanded outward, aiming to evoke the same sense of warmth and connection that I discovered originally. It became both a gesture of gratitude and a quiet farewell to the city that I have deeply connected to.
Thank you, Glasgow. For your streets, stories, for the friendships, challenges, and growth. From my first time leaving Inverness to each evolving year of creative and spiritual development, this chapter has left me with memories I will carry always.
