2024 Scottish contemporary art preview
For our first post of 2024, we’re looking ahead to the exhibitions, projects and festivals to look forward to throughout the year – from a brand new gallery in Greenock to a bumper archival show in Dundee.
To keep up with what’s on now and coming soon in Scotland, check out our listings page and subscribe to our monthly Circular newsletter.
Annual Arts Gathering
ATLAS Arts, Skye, 1 March
To kick off the Spring, join ATLAS for a day of cultural sharing and discussion at their annual arts gathering, bringing together artists, makers and organisations from across the Highlands and Islands.
The Wyllieum
Greenock, from March
Years in the making, The Wyllieum is a new art gallery in Greenock boasting the world’s largest collection of work by George Wyllie, the Glasgow-born “scul?tor” whose public works are a quintessential part of the Scottish urban landscape. Wyllie’s work will share space with a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions, events and workshops.
Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival
Various venues, 7 – 10 March
Now in its 19th edition, Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival is a haven for fans of artists’ moving image and avant garde film. This year’s first programme announcement includes work by Basma al-Sharif, Emilia Beatriz and Onyeka Igwe, with more to be revealed soon.
Fraser Taylor, Silk scarf, 1980, Courtesy The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections
Instant Whip: revisiting the textiles and papers of Fraser Taylor, 1977–1987
Reid Gallery, Glasgow, 15 March – 20 April
In partnership with The Glasgow School of Art and Print Clan, design curators Panel present an expansive project based around the archive of Fraser Taylor, a designer, artist and educator who co-founded the ’80s design collective The Cloth. Bringing together archival textile work and newly commissioned pieces, the exhibition will be accompanied by an events programme and a publication.
Talbot Rice Residents
Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh, 16 March – 1 June
This exciting group show showcases ten artists from the last two cohorts of Talbot Rice Gallery’s residency programme, forming a survey of contemporary art practice in Scotland. The show will feature work by artists including Sekai Machache, Alaya Ang, Maria de Lima and Matt Zurowski.
Matthew Arthur Williams
Stills, Edinburgh, 22 March – 15 June
The photographic practice of Glasgow-based artist Matthew Arthur Williams is showcased in this major solo show at Stills, exploring ideas relating to race, queerness, memory and family history through Williams’ interest in traditional, analogue and alternative processes.
Image: Gabriella Boyd, Keeper, 2022
Gabriella Boyd
Cample Line, Dumfries, from 23 March
The stunning rural location of Cample Line is the perfect setting for this exhibition of new paintings by Glasgow-born, London-based artist Gabriella Boyd, whose work is characterised by bold colour, expressionistic shape and associative meaning. Expect transformative scenes of human interaction, and combinations of representational and abstract forms.
Sukaina Kubba
Dundee Contemporary Arts, 27 April – 4 August
In April, DCA presents the debut UK solo exhibition by Baghdad-born, Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist Sukaina Kubba, whose work spans drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, AV and installation to explore narratives of cultural and material assimilation and appropriation. Her show at DCA will pair existing and new work concerned with cross-Atlantic dissemination of textiles, like ocean-liner rugs, lace curtains and fishing nets.
Laura Aldridge: Lawnmower
Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh, from 11 May
A new sculptural installation by Laura Aldridge takes over Jupiter Artland this summer, promising ‘a space where materiality might absorb or encourage certain feelings.’ Also set to include a series of video works made in collaboration with various artists and musicians, the show will form part of this year’s Edinburgh Art Festival, which celebrates its 20th year in August.
Enzo Camacho & Ami Lien, Langit Lupa, 2023, co-commissioned by Para Site, CCA Berlin—Center for Contemporary Art, Glasgow International, and MoMA PS1
Alberta Whittle
Mount Stuart, Bute, from 1 June
Continuing her run of major shows in Scottish museums and galleries, Scottish-Barbadian artist Alberta Whittle brings her immersive, thoughtful work to the grand surrounds of Mount Stuart House for their summer exhibition. Including Whittle’s first works made for outdoor space, the show will comprise site-specific installations inspired by the history and landscapes of the house, the island of Bute, and the Clyde.
Glasgow International 2024
Various venues, 7 – 23 June
The bumper biennial festival of contemporary art returns for its tenth edition, taking over Glasgow’s galleries, venues and public spaces for 18 days of exhibitions, interventions, performances and events. Under the direction of Richard Birkett, this year’s festival will also include a number of ‘gatherings’, giving space to themes and connections across projects. The full programme is yet to be announced, but participants include Jasleen Kaur, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Matthew Arthur Williams, Susan Philipsz and many more.
The Ignorant Art School: Five Sit-ins Towards Creative Emancipation Sit-in #4
Cooper Gallery, University of Dundee, 4 October – 14 December
Cooper Gallery’s five-chapter project The Ignorant Art School continues with this group show of artworks and archival material inspired by and generated from feminist and queer movements, featuring artists, activists, thinkers and collectives including Judy Chicago, Leigh Bowery, Audre Lorde, Womenifesto and Haven for Artists.
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Top image: Laura Aldridge