Victorian Glasgow was known as the second city of the empire; shipbuilding, manufacturing and textiles were overseen by the white men whose portraits adorn the walls of our public buildings.

My 2010 project “A Celebration” looked at the social landscape and perceived threat of redevelopment of Glasgow’s East End as the Commonwealth games of 2014 drew near. I focused on the traders and merchants whose businesses were at risk of being swept away.

Ten years on from those games, and at a time when Glasgow has stepped in to hold what threatens to be the last iteration due to the unmanageable cost of the games, and also the fracturing of the commonwealth itself, I returned to the area to update my tribute to the disparate traders who represent this small corner of post-imperial Glasgow.

The whole work will now form part of Street Level’s exhibition “The Scene From Within”, running 19th July – 5th October. Opening reception is 2-4pm Saturday 19th July.

https://www.streetlevelphotoworks.org/event/the-scene-from-within