10 visual art exhibitions to see this autumn
The galleries are alive with the sight and sounds of great art this autumn. Here’s a mere sample of top exhibitions to feast your eyes and ears on across the forthcoming season
David Bowie: On Tour
To mark a decade since his sad passing, Dundee hosts the first touring show of the archive that has been wooing visitors to London’s V&A. Across four sections is the behind-the-scenes story of how he created his ever-evolving persona, music and screen work.
V&A Dundee, Wednesday 4 November–Monday 15 February.
Duncan Campbell
A New No is the Turner Prize winner’s first major work shown in Scotland since scooping that gong in 2014. At the heart of this exhibition is a flip-disc electromagnetic screen which animates graphic images using techniques from the ‘12 principles of animation’ formulated by early-years Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.
Gallery Of Modern Art, Glasgow, Saturday 10 October–Monday 4 January.
Elaine Mitchener
This movement artist presents a site specific performance-installation over just two nights, performed in Mount Stuart’s Marble Hall, inspired by events and objects reflecting that building’s history. In particular, it draws inspiration from newspaper reports of the devastating 1877 fire which destroyed much of the original Georgian structure.
Mount Stuart, Isle Of Bute, Friday 11 & Saturday 12 September.
Fraser Taylor
Muddled Syncopation is the new exhibition from this interdisciplinary artist which aims to explores the shifting interplay between humanity and landscape as well as examining the tension and harmony between people and place. To that end, the Glasgow School Of Art alumni exhibits a series of paintings as well as collaborative work in film and poetry.
Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, Saturday 5 September–Saturday 7 November.
Glasgow Art Weekend
Glasgow Art Map lay on another showcase of exhibitions and events occurring all across the city for four days. Among the artists involved are Martin Boyce, Josie KO and Zayd Menk while there are also publication launches from Broadside and Rosie’s Disobedient Press. And yes, there’s a closing day party.
Various venues, Glasgow, Thursday 17–Sunday 20 September.
Ida Applebroog
The late American creative described herself as ‘a woman artist with feminist concerns’ and whose ‘Angry Birds Of America’ series is part of this exhibition marking her first solo show in Scotland. These portraits of dead birds were drawn in 2019 and symbolised how most rational Americans were feeling during Trump’s first term.
Fruitmarket, Edinburgh, Friday 6 November–Sunday 7 February.
Isaac Julien
A previous hit at Edinburgh Art Festival, Julien’s film Lessons Of The Hour: Frederick Douglass explores the famed orator, philosopher and abolitionist’s time in Scotland and examines Perthshire’s connections to the transatlantic slave trade. During his visit, he made several speeches on the site where Perth Museum is now located.
Perth Museum, Friday 9 October–Sunday 11 April.
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Scottish Portrait Awards
A true celebration of Scottish creativity, well over 2000 works were entered for consideration in three categories with judges having the tricky task of narrowing them down to just over 100 pieces for fine art and photography and 60 works or a digital exhibition.
National Galleries Of Scotland: Portrait, Saturday 28 November–Sunday 11 April.
Tai Shani
Another Turner Prize winner in these parts as sculpture, image, sound and architecture come together for M.I.A.S.M.A. which reimagines the Ancient Greek tragedy Antigone, which asks several questions including what forms of love and resistance remain possible in this age of crisis.
Jupiter Artland, Wilkieston, opens Thursday 29 October.
UK AIDS Memorial Quilt
Displayed in full for the first time in Scotland, the quilt represents over 600 people lost to HIV and AIDS in the UK. Part of the world’s largest community art project, it was originated in America in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones to commemorate lost friends, family and loved ones, and in the late 1980s, Scottish activist Ally Van Tillo began coordinating the British version.
Tramway, Glasgow, Saturday 12 September–Sunday 4 October.