Make Works picks from Glasgow International

Cover image taken from Amie Siegel's 'Provenance', a film tracing the global furniture trade, shown as part of the group show at Tramway.

Glasgow International Visual Arts Festival kicked off this month with 50 exhibitions and 90 events exhibiting work from more than 150 artists from 24 countries. With the Director's Programme this year focussing on Glasgow's relationship to industry, we've compiled a list of exhibitions for those interested in materials, processes and production. 

Corin Sworn and Trakke; Roving machines and middle men

A collaboration between rural artist residency programme; The Bothy Project, artist Corin Sworn and Glasgow-based bag manufacturer; Trakke. Curated by ceramacist Katy West, the exhibition looks at the legacy of Glasgow's industrial past asking what marks it has left on the city and what absences have been left embedded in it.

Where? ARTPARK, House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park, 10 Dumbreck Road Glasgow, G41 5BW

More information here

Alexandra Bircken, Sheila Hicks, Lawrence Lek, Mika Rottenberg and Amie Siegel; Group show at Tramway 

Curated by the festival Director Sarah McCrory and co-designed by artist Martin Boyce, this group show brings together works by five artists. Their work focusses on ideas of production, manufacture, material culture, design, history and labour, which all in turn reflect back out upon the city and its industrial past. 

Where? Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow G41 2PE

More information here

Erica Eyres and Garnet Mcculloch; The Vegetable Store

Potter, Garnet Mcculloch who runs Fireworks Studio and artist, Erica Eyres are exhibiting The Vegetable Store – a selection of ceramic vegetables questioning the fetishisation we have developed around artisanal grocery stores, perhaps in contrast to the relative lack of support around the genuine artisan trade of ceramics? Alongside the vegetables, you'll find ceramic paper bags and the tools and equipment of the potter.

Where? Fireworks Studio, 35A Dalhousie Street, Glasgow, G3 6PW 

More information here

Suzanne Dery, Laurence Figgis, Steven Grainger, Rowan Mace, Billy Teasdale; Human Shaped

Taking place at art fabricators, Sculpture and Design, Human Shaped is a group show, questioning everything from toxic mushrooms to portable welders. "Think … Tools … Accessorise." 

Where? Sculpture and Design, Unit N1 and N2, Glasgow North Trading Estate, 24 Craigmont Street, Glasgow, G20 9BT 

More information here

Monica Sosnowska

Polish artist Monika Sosnowska has fabricated replicas of architectural structures, such as the structural steel framework from the shopping pavillion on the Osiedle Slowackiego estate. She has then worked with industrial fabricators and former construction workers to distort them on a vast scale. An impressive sight, this one is worth seeing for the fabrication alone. 

Where? The Modern Institute, 3 Aird's Lane, Glasgow, G1 5HU

More information here

Heather Lander and Simon Harlow; Materialia 

Materialia is described as 'an ambitious video installation and sculptural eruption' taking place in the grand surrounds of the Briggait Hall. When he's not exhibiting at GI, Simon runs Silo Design & Build, fabricating sculptural artwork and furniture using traditional and digital processes.

Where? The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow, G1 5HZ

More information here

Scott Brotherton and Ric Warren; Greyfield

Scott Brotherton and Ric Warren exhibit a selection of sculptural works reflecting on the urban landscape from the perspective of more rural landscapes – no doubt influenced by their collaborative Bothy Project residency in the Cairngorns National Park. 

Where? Art Shed 1, ARTPARK, House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park, 10 Dumbreck Road, Glasgow, G41 5BW

More information here

Andre Komatsu; Concrete that makes us

Komatsu is based in Sao Paulo, but with 'Concrete that makes us' he draws comparisons between the modern built environment of Sao Paolo and his own native Glasgow. This seeks to question notions of progress and commerce, betterment for some and a more provisional existence for others.

Where? Civic Room 215 High Street Glasgow, G1 1QB

More information here

Nicolas Party; Mezzotint

Glasgow Print Studio is a printmaking faciltity providing equipment, machinery and workshop space to artists using fine art printmaking. Amongst others, Nicolas Party will be exhibiting Mezzotint, an exploration into the processes behind printmaking including painting, print, chalk pastel works and direct printing to the wall.

Where?  Glasgow Print Studio, 103 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HD

More information here 

If you've been exploring GI and have seen something you reckon we should include in this list let us know