21 REVOLUTIONS

About

Featuring specially commissioned new prints works by 21 artists, using the Glasgow Women's Library collection as inspiration, this exhibition will present a hugely interesting and diverse selection of work by some of the most preeminent artists working in Scotland today. To accompany the works, 21 writers were asked to participate with new texts and performance readings. Glasgow Women's Library (GWL) is the sole resource of its kind in Scotland. Launched in 1991, it is an accredited museum, an archive and library used by thousands of visitors each year. GWL has amassed a remarkable collection that charts women's and equalities campaigns, showcasing and conserving the diversity of women's history and creativity. All the items in its collections have been donated; the whole reflecting the diversity of its users and donors. To mark the Library's 21st birthday in 2012 and with the support of funding from Creative Scotland and Museums Galleries Scotland, GWL commissioned 21 women artists to create limited edition fine art prints inspired by items in its collections. These new works draw on campaign badges, knitting patterns, Suffragette memorabilia, album covers, recipe books, feminist newsletters and other gems found within the Library's thousands of archive boxes or library shelves. GWL has worked with artists and writers throughout its history. Claire Barclay and Sam Ainsley were active in the germination of GWL and other artists in 21 revolutions including Jacki Parry and Kate Davis have a longstanding relationship with the organisation. Some, including Ellie Harrison, Ciara Phillips and Corin Sworn have explored GWL for the first time. All have created fresh, illuminating responses to GWL's collections and culture. 21 new texts generated by a renowned group of women writers and items from the collections are also showcased in this exhibition, the first touring venue for the work following its groundbreaking launch at CCA, Glasgow in 2012. The 21 artists are: Sam Ainsley; Claire Barclay; Ruth Barker; Karla Black; Nicky Bird; Ashley Cook; Delphine Dallison; Kate Davis; Fiona Dean; Helen de Main; Kate Gibson; Ellie Harrison; Elspeth Lamb; Shauna McMullan; Jacki Parry; Ciara Phillips; Lucy Skaer; Corin Sworn; Sharon Thomas; Amanda Thomson and Sarah Wright. The 21 writers are: Karen Campbell; Anne Donovan; Margaret Elphinstone; Vicki Feaver; Helen Fitzgerald; Muriel Gray; Jan Hadfield; Jackie Kay; A.L Kennedy; Liz Lochhead; Kirsty Logan; Laura Marney; Heather Middleton; Alison Miller; Denise Mina; Donna Moore; Elizabeth Reeder; Leela Soma; Zoe Strachan; Louise Welsh and Zoe Wicomb. 21 Revolutions is part of the 2013 Edinburgh Art Festival.