Issue 23 The magazine of The Glasgow School of Art FlOW ISSUE 23 FlOW ISSUE 23 Cover Image: 1 David Freer Chocolate Kebab (detail), Lotte Glob, Photo by Peter Dibden (2008), Mackintosh Museum, The 2 Scottish National Gallery of Glasgow School of Art, from the Modern Art, branding by O Street exhibition The Erratics (2011). 3 Buildher, branding by O Street In background, K Figure Frieze (detail), Nick Evans (2011). Photo Credit: Alan Dimmick >BRIEFING QS World We√come University Rankings CREATIVITY The GSA has once again been acknowledged as one # Welcome to Issue 23 of Flow, our magazine for The Glasgow School of Art’s Creative Network. of the top 20 art and design Since its founding as a government school of design over 150 years ago, the GSA has been rooted in the institutions in the world in city of Glasgow. Although our staff, student and graduate network now extends around the world, Glasgow the 2020 QS World University MATTERS remains at the heart of our expanded community – whether represented by the large number of graduates Rankings. The GSA is ranked third in the UK, who choose to remain in the city after finishing their studies, those who return to visit or work here long fifth in Europe and eighth in after graduation, or those who maintain friendships and collaborators in the city from afar. The essence of the world for art and design, Glasgow – its creative spirit, diversity, sense of humour and warmth – is embedded throughout our network, and has consistently held and in the communities and organisations that our work extends to. a place in the top 20 in the This sense of place and community has always been important to the GSA, but in these rapidly world since 2015. changing and challenging times, it is even more important. Since the beginning of the lockdown, we have www.topuniversities.com been asking our Creative Network for suggestions and provocations on the theme of #CreativityMatters – how can art, design and architecture businesses, cooperatives and individuals contribute during a crisis? Penny Macbeth The GSA has appointed How can we retain closeness while physically distant? A number of graduates talk about the importance of Penny Macbeth, currently place and creativity on pages 3-5 of this issue, and you are invited to contribute to the discussion on social Dean of Manchester School media, tagging #CreativityMatters and #GSACreativeNetwork. of Art and Deputy Faculty Elsewhere in the issue, Moira Jeffrey writes on over three decades of exhibitions at the GSA, and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Arts their importance to Glasgow’s gallery scene, and Claire Sawers looks at our work with Castlehead School and Humanities, as its new of Creativity in Paisley where studio-based learning and teaching is being harnessed for all young people Director. Speaking on the to encourage creativity, innovative thinking and wellbeing. There’s also news from the GSA and our network appointment, Muriel Gray of graduates, and suggestions of some online archives and resources to consult while at home. said: “Penny’s success at Manchester School of Art We hope that you enjoy this issue of Flow. With very best wishes from Glasgow during this difficult across student experience, time to wherever you are in the world. engagement with the city 1 2 3 and community alongside The Glasgow School of Art managing major capital development projects reflect The importance of creative responses David Freer By keeping our main base in Glasgow we can provide many of the dimensions of to crisis has been emphasised in the Visual Communication, 1997 salaries for our colleagues and each other that allow us the role at the GSA, and her Co-Founder of O Street Graphic Design Agency to live fairly comfortable lives. Our move to Colorado, experience will be invaluable in aftermath of the global coronavirus instead of NYC or LA, was for very similar reasons – leading staff at an important pandemic – whether through design Can you tell us a bit about your experience working in Denver has that vibe of a city where creatives can live time in the GSA’s history.” industry after graduating in 1997? a more comfortable life. Macbeth will begin her role in thinking, problem-solving or the I did work in Glasgow for a while after graduation, but my May 2020, succeeding interim power of art to bring comfort and first big break came soon after when I got a job at Saatchi What would you say are the key traits of a designer Director Professor Irene & Saatchi in London. My tutor at the GSA had managed that can help individuals and society over the coming McAra-McWilliam. community during isolation. to arrange an internship for me the year before and they months? gsa.ac.uk/pennymacbeth On social media, we have remembered me when I went in for an interview. I met Like many design studios we’ve been working remotely been sharing suggestions, tips and some great people there, but to be honest the work itself with clients and colleagues for years, so getting our heads Graduate Showcase 2020 wasn’t as creative or glamorous as you’d think. The real around video conferencing etiquette or screen sharing is As a result of the UK- questions from our creative network value for my career was having such a famous name on no biggie for most of us. Moreover, designers by our very Contents ∂ ONLINE wide lockdown, the GSA’s under the tag #CreativityMatters – my CV. Also, moving to such a big city and meeting nature are natural problem solvers and lateral thinkers. annual Degree Shows will people from all over the world was a really steep learning The post-crisis world needs those skills now more than Welcome 2 Facebook unfortunately not take for this issue of Flow, we speak to curve for me: it gave me a confidence and perspective ever. Even before Covid-19, I’d begun to recognise the #CreativityMatters 3 /glasgowschoolofart place in 2020. However, our four GSA graduates in Glasgow who that has helped me ever since. importance of designers in emerging industries like tech. Flickr community and networks will It’s no accident that there are more designers on the GS≤A News 6 /glasgowschoolart still be able to come together are making a difference to the city You founded O Street design studio in 2006 – could boards of Fortune 500 companies than ever before. It’s Creative Network 7 Instagram online as we launch digital and adapting their working practices. you tell us a bit about the journey? not just because we can make things look pretty, it’s @glasgowschoolart showcases from our final year I’d moved back to Glasgow after being away for about because we can make organisations think differently too! Join the conversation by A History of GSA Exhibitions 8 Linkedin students, as their journey from seven years, mainly for lifestyle reasons – being near Transforming Lives /school/the-glasgow-school-of-art art school begins. Join posting on social media with family and being able to afford a flat! During this period, I What are your aspirations for O Street in the future? Twitter us online for the launch on the tags #CreativityMatters was made redundant for the first time in my career, and I There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment, so our Through Creativity 10 @GSofA 29 May to discover work, read wanted to take control of my career and start my own immediate focus is keeping our colleagues employed and Events 12 Vimeo reviews and find online events, #GSACreativeNetwork. studio. I started O Street with another GSA graduate, Neil inspired, but with a bit more stability. When the dust has /glasgowschoolofart then follow our students’ Wallace, who had been on a similar journey, recently settled, we’d like our remote studios in Denver and The Hub progress post-graduation returning from work in London, LA and Tokyo. Having Manchester to grow and become comparable to our Keep up-to-date with goings-on in all departments of the and watch their showcases someone share the responsibility of such a big step really offering in Glasgow. We’d also love to be able to work GSA with our social media aggregator: www.gsa.ac.uk/thehub continue to develop. Watch helped and I’m really lucky to have met him when I did. closer with cultural and creative brands and individuals. this space for details of the accompanying physical O Street now has studios in London and Colorado. ostreet.co.uk Published by: The Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom G3 6RQ. Telephone: +44 (0)141 353 4500 www.gsa.ac.uk Graduate Showcases, due Was it important for you to keep a base in Glasgow? Edited by: Kirsty L Barr and Claire Biddles Copywriting: Claire Biddles and Sam De Santis Design: Noë & Associates Printed on: 90gsm Tauro to take place over 2020/21. One of the main reasons Glasgow is a very creative city is > Video: #CreativityMatters An digital version of this publication is available at www.gsa.ac.uk/flow gsa.ac.uk/ that creatives can afford to live and work here. It’s a David Freer of O Street If you require a copy in an alternative format please contact the Marketing & Communications Office on: +44 (0)141 353 4710 or [email protected] graduateshowcase2020 disgrace, but no secret, that artists and creative people David advocates for sharing resources across Glasgow’s Charity Registration Number: SC012490. © The Glasgow School of Art, 2020. often don’t earn lots of money.