GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL
THE YOUNG TURK
HANNAH ROBINSON Gallery director, Mary Mary
After studying painting at Glasgow School of Art. Robinson set up an artist-run space in a room in a tenement flat wrth Sara Barker and Harriet Tritton in 2004. The followrng year the gallery moved to larger premises on Alexandra Park Street in Glasgow's East End ~ taking over a few more rooms in a tenement. Mary Mary has now become a commercial venture for Robinson. who has again moved. this time to larger premises on Dixon Street. Glasgow. The gallery opens on Friday 14 April, showing the work of Glasgow-based Installation artist and sculptOr Karla Black. Mary Mary also presents an offsite project on Bell Street, showmg the work of French artist Lili Reynaud-Dewar.
Does Mary Mary have an international profile?
Robinson: I present shows in the gallery that are then
promoted to an international audience. the gallery acting as a platform from which people can view. discuss and debate work. I have a policy of trying to bring artists from abroad here - I think this is vitally important. as is promoting local artists internationally. Broadening what work we see can only be a good thing. I don't think about the Scottishness of the work shown. I think peeple are interested in intelligent and interesting work. wherever it comes from.
Do you think Glasgow lntemational acts as a stage for local talent?
Robinson: I think it is taking important steps in doing so — it's only just beginning. I think it's a good idea for the festival to become a biennial event. It means that there can be time to commission work and create a really ambitious and exciting programme; it leaves more scope for it to become a ‘bigger' event. I decided to ask Karla and Lili to take part this year - I am really interested by both of their practices. Their work is very different in a number of ways. yet I like the idea of the works existing simultaneously.
I Karla Black. Mary Mary, Sat 75 Apr—Fri 79 May; Li/i' Reynaud-Dewar. Mary Mary Offsrte Project. Bell Street, Wed 79Apr—Mon I May.
24 THE LIST 30 Mar—13 Apr 2006
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From top: ‘Untitled’ by Sue Tompkins (part of Beck’s Futures); ‘Beach Huts' by William Kentridge; ‘Red Real Lite’ by Ross Sinclair; ‘The Dust Has Come to Stay’ by Torsten Lauschmann; ‘Choose Me’ by Karla Black
THE MAJOR PLAYER
TOBY WEBSTER Gallery director. The Modern Institute
Toby Vii/ebStGFIS Modern Institute continues to attract the attentiOn of the art world, wrth a truly international group of Critically acclaimed and award-Winning artists represented by the gallery. Last year's Turner Prize Winner Simon Starling ias well as nominee Jim Larnbiel are both represented by Webster in Scotland. as is Jeremy Dellei, the 2004 Winner. This year the Modern Institute shows new work by Swedish artist Henrik l-lakansson in its Robertson Street premises. wrth Miaini-basrxt Mark Handforth showrng new sCqutural works in an offsite protect at Hutcheson's Hall, Ingram Street.
How do you present your gallery and represent your artists internationally? Webster: It is through the strength of the shows and the artists' work. We act as a place to meet and to discuss work locally. This works internationally as well. wrth people hearing about the programme and being able to see works in various places around the world. We have no policy or specific programme to bring
artists from abroad here; it Just happens.
How do you think Scotland’s contemporary art is being received internationally, and what role do you think GI plays in this?
Webster: I don't know really. It's difficult to quantity that. I don't think they think of it as Scottish necessarily, which maybe is a good thing to remember. Glasgow International needs to build seriously. and I think that it Will. But it does take time and money to get these things right. I think it's a good idea for the festival to take place biennially; still calling it GI and dorng it every second year wrll mean that you can take a year out or be flexible With it. As long as people support it. it will play a central role in showcasing local talent and present a truly international face to the art world.
I Henrik Hakansson, the Modern Institute, Sat 7 Apr—Sat 29 Apr; Mark Handforth, the Modern Institute Offsrte, Hutchenson '3 Ha//, Thu 20 Apr—Sat 29 Apr.
The Glasgow International takes place from Wed 19 Apr-Mon 1 May. See next issue for full listings or visit glasgow lnternatlonal.org.