VISUAL ART
■ THE MODERN INSTITUTE @ AIRD’S LANE 3–5 Aird’s Lane, 248 3711. Thu–Sat noon–5pm; closed Mon–Wed & Sun. Note: gallery is closed Sat 20 Dec 2014–Thu 8 Jan 2015.
✽ Victoria Morton Until Sat 17 Jan. Glasgow artist who incorporates her own paintings and sculptures into installations (and who is also a member of Muscles of Joy.) See review, page 121.
■ THE MODERN INSTITUTE 14–20 Osborne Street, 248 3711. Mon–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat noon–5pm; closed Sun. Richard Hughes: Field Trip Until Fri 19 Dec. New work from artist interested in finding elements of romance within the everyday and making them concrete.
■ PATRICIA FLEMING PROJECTS Studio 225, South Block, 60/64 Osborne Street, 0796 806 6708. Opening times vary, see individual events for details. Kate V Robertson: In Progress Until Sat 20 Dec. Wed–Fri 10am–5pm; Sat noon–4pm; closed Mon, Tue & Sun. New work from the artist concerned with making subtle interventions in environments. ■ PROJECT ABILITY Trongate 103, 552 2822. Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; closed Mon & Sun. Project Ability Christmas Auction Until Sat 13 Dec. The gallery show culminates in a blind and silent auction featuring a selection of work not just from its own artists but also from established and emerging Glasgow artists including Jim Lambie, Laura Aldridge, Alex Frost, David Shrigley, Lauren Gault and many others; whatever piece of art catches your eye, you won’t know who it’s by until you’ve paid for it. The starting price for each piece is £30.
■ REID BUILDING Glasgow School of Art, 164 Renfrew Street, 353 4500. Opening times vary, check individual exhibitions for details.
✽ Alasdair Gray: Spheres of Influence II Until Sun 25 Jan.
Mon–Sat 11am–5pm; Sun 11am–4pm but gallery is closed from Wed 24 Dec 2014– Sun 4 Jan 2015 inclusive. A review of the work of Alasdair Gray as seen through the prism of work by other artists, but also featuring a selection of pieces from Gray’s personal archive. See review, page 122. The Alasdair Gray Season.
■ RGI KELLY GALLERY 118 Douglas Street, 248 6386. Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; closed Sun & Mon. Christmas Exhibition Until Tue 23 Dec. Small, framed works and postcard- sized paintings by gallery artists such as Patricia Cain RGI, Hazel Nagl RSW PAI RGI, Simon Laurie RSW RGI, Jacqueline Orr RSW RGI, Willie Rodger RSA RGI, Jennifer Irvine, Robin Leishman and Sam Cartman.
■ ROGER BILLCLIFFE GALLERY 134 Blythswood Street, 332 4027. Mon– Fri 9.30am–5.30pm; Sat 10am–1pm; closed Sun. James Fullarton Until Wed 24 Dec. Landscape and colourful still-life paintings from the Scottish artist. ■ ROYAL EXCHANGE SQUARE Art on the Exchange Until Sun 21 Dec. Sat & Sun 11am–6pm. Artists and performers – including in visual art, street theatre and music – show off their talent in Royal Exchange Square. Presented by Art on Scotland.
■ SCOTLAND STREET SCHOOL MUSEUM 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Tue–Thu & Sat 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm; closed Mon. Note: gallery is closed Wed 24–Fri 26 Dec; open Wed 31 Dec 2014 10am–1pm; closed Thu 1 & Fri 2 Jan 2015. Alexander Millar: Working Man – The Homecoming Until Fri 27
124 THE LIST 11 Dec 2014–5 Feb 2015
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MIXED MEDIA MANUEL CHAVAJAY AND REBECCA WILCOX: THIS MIGHT BE A PLACE FOR HUMMINGBIRDS CCA, Glasgow, until Sun 18 Jan ●●●●●
Following on from the CCA’s double solo show last year with Mounira al Solh and Sarah Forrest, This Might Be a Place for Hummingbirds presents work by Guatemalan artist Manuel Chavajay and Glasgow-based artist Rebecca Wilcox. The exhibition is co-curated by Pablo Jose Ramirez and Remco de Blaaij, who attempt to ‘create a place which interrogates and compares the artists’ work’. Chavajay’s output explores the struggles and suppressions of Guatemalan indigenous communities, of
which he is part, specifically exploring the complex and evolving roles of new consumer and producer through a diverse selection of wall murals, hanging ceramics and canvas paintings. Wilcox’s work is removed from Chavajay’s vibrant displays of struggle and explores the constructs and complexities of language, repeated experience, performance and publication. Small tables hosting projections, audio and reading cards combine to become stirring and engaging works. However, the careful execution of Wilcox’s table in the main gallery space is distracted from by Chavajay’s work, especially the hanging ceramics, which would benefit from a space of their own.
Wall murals by Chavajay bookend the main gallery. The most successful is of an elderly woman carrying
what would normally be wood for a stove but is, instead, a Guatemalan bank. The piece effectively highlights the role indigenous communities had in the success of the banking system and the further economic exploitations they have been subjected to. Meanwhile, Chavajay’s canvas paintings are compressed to one end of the gallery and feel sidelined, unable to truly engage with the rest of the works. The pieces within the exhibition are worthy in execution and conception, yet it’s an over-crowded and,
at times, badly considered display. This does little to enhance the discussion on the complexities of communication without struggling to force links that dilute the individual work’s intended effect, rather than inform and illuminate it. (Kirsty Neale)
Feb. Twee paintings of working men and women of Glasgow, intended to pay homage to the industrial heritage of the region. ■ SCOTLANDART.COM 193 Bath Street, 221 4502. Tue–Fri 10.30am–5.30pm; Sat 11am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm; closed Mon. Note: gallery is open Wed 24 Dec 10am–4pm; closed Thu 25 & Fri 26 Dec; open Sat 27 Dec 11am–5pm. Hogmanay closing dates tbc. Christmas Exhibition Until Tue 20 Jan. Painting and sculpture from gallery artists.
■ SMITHY GALLERY 74 Glasgow Road, Blanefield, 01360 770551. Tue–Sat 11am–5pm; Sun 1–5pm; closed Mon. Christmas Exhibition Until Sun 11 Jan. A festive mixed exhibition by gallery artists, with paintings and ceramics, also featuring work by new artists.
7246. Opening times vary, see individual exhibition listings for details. Dominic Samsworth: Salting the Mirage Until Sat 13 Dec. Thu–Sat noon– 6pm. Solo show by former GSA student interested in exploration, in changes of scene and openness to inquiry. ■ TRAMWAY 25 Albert Drive, 0845 330 3501. Building open: Tue–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun noon–6pm; Exhibitions open: Tue–Fri noon–5pm; Sat & Sun noon–6pm; closed Mon. Note: gallery is closed Wed 24 Dec 2014–Sun 4 Jan 2015 inclusive. Mike Nelson: Eighty Circles Through Canada (The Last Possessions of an Orcadian Mountain Man) Until Sun 11 Jan. A new installation inspired by the artist’s friendship with artist and mountaineer Erlend Williamson.
EDINBURGH
52 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, 226 3066. Mon, Tue & Thu–Sat 11am–5pm; Sun noon–4pm; closed Wed. Christmas Exhibition Until Tue 23 Dec. New work by Patsy McArthur, Michael Dix, Jack Frame, Stephanie Rew, Claire McGee, Clodagh Mickeljohn, Peter Howson, Stephen O’Neil, Marie Louise Wrightson and others. ■ CITY ART CENTRE 2 Market Street, 529 3993. Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm. Note: gallery is closed Thu 25 & Fri 26 Dec 2014 and Thu 1 & Fri 2 Jan 2015. Picturing Conflict: Art of the First World War Until Sun 18 Jan. Images of WWI from Eric Robertson, David Young Cameron and Sir John Lavery. You Choose: Favourites from the City Art Centre Sat 13 Dec–Sun 24 May. The most popular paintings from the centre’s collection, as chosen by an online poll of the general public.
■ SWG3 Studio Warehouse, 100 Eastvale Place, 357 ■ ALPHA ART GALLERY
■ COLLECTIVE GALLERY City Observatory & Dome, 38 Calton Hill,