BEYOND THE GAMES

In July, our six month long artist residency with local Photographer Chris Leslie culminates in a major multimedia exhibition, examining the changes in Dalmarnock over the past ten years, coinciding with the 10 year anniversary of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Since January 2024, the project has revisited the work and people that Chris engaged with between 2007-2014 to document the story of Dalmarnock and impact of the 2014 Commonwealth Games on local residents, buildings, and the wider community.

BAFTA Scotland New Talent award-winning photographer and filmmaker Chris Leslie is widely acknowledged as the most consistent chronicler of the city’s recent history.  In 2007, Chris began a 10-year long-term multimedia project ‘Disappearing Glasgow’ which documents an era of spectacular change in Glasgow through photography and video, examining the changes he saw as a local resident and the impact it was having on the lives of his community.

“The skyline of Glasgow has been radically transformed as high-rise tower blocks have been blown down and bulldozed. 35% of the cities' High Rise flats have disappeared since 2006, communities dispersed across the city and Dalmarnock in the East End has 'been raised from the ashes' via the Commonwealth Games. Does this Disappearing Glasgow herald a renaissance in the city?”

 

                                                                                                                                            Chris Leslie, Disappearing Glasgow, 2014

Ten years on from this project and in the 10 year anniversary of the Commonwealth Games in Dalmarnock, Chris has spent the last six months revisiting the residents he knows, local schools, and community groups and documented the changing landscapes of the place that Strange Field now calls home. These histories will be presented on a large scale as a collection of photography, film, audio and print at Strange Field’s French Street venue, opening to the public on Friday 5th July, with an opening event on Thursday 4th July 6-9pm.

On Saturday 6th July, we are pleased to welcome you to an artist talk with Chris Leslie at 3pm, followed by a community panel discussion chaired by Glasgow School of Art’s Professor Johnny Rodger, with speakers including architect Malcom Fraser, and local residency and community activist John McGregor.

The exhibition is located on the ground floor of 105-105 French Street. Please get in touch with jenny@strangefield.org if you have any questions about attending the exhibition or its supporting events.

The project has been made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the William Grant Foundation.