Mimesis: African Soldier is shown across three screens, which allow us to see different perspectives and narratives at the same time. The screens display archival footage and reimagined contemporary views of historical military experiences alongside still life [nature morte] scenes, with flowing water running over objects, flags and photographs related to the soldiers. Akomfrah uses montage techniques and bricolage, weaving together new footage with archival material and still photography. This poetic approach to history and archives draws attention to overlooked stories, Britain’s historical role in conflict across the colonies, and the impact on people of colour today. There is no spoken narrative in the work, instead poignant quotes, an emotive soundscape including song, and words (such as disenchantment, disgust, rude awakening) appear on the screen to function as pauses or titles interspersing the powerful images and archives that we are witness to. These words encapsulate what we are seeing unfold before us and echo the soldiers’ journey and conscription into a war that is not of their making.

A new solo exhibition at GoMA by Canadian/Irish artist Ciara Phillips, of woodcuts, etchings and screen-prints Internationally recognised for both her individual and collaborative work in print, Ciara Phillips' new solo exhibition Undoing it presents her characteristically vibrant woodcuts, etchings and screen-prints in a printed installation covering the entirety of GoMA’s Gallery 3. Undoing it is an exhibition that focuses on the creative process itself. For Ciara Phillips, making art offers an opportunity to think and think again, to both do and undo simultaneously. In particular, the processes of printmaking bring her thinking and making into direct contact through touch, pressure, transference and repetition: “I like the level of uncertainty that comes from printing - the tools and methods often interfere with my intention, and I find that productive. […] The prints are the product of improvisation - a back-and-forth live discussion with the work as it happens.” By scraping, rubbing and pressing wood, copper, nylon and paper, Phillips creates a printed record of recent thoughts and actions. Her large-format works range from expressive, abstract compositions, to notes outlining her printing plans, measurements and colour choices. Visual citations in the form of sketches and photographs offer audiences an insight into the people and perspectives that influence her and whom she wishes to credit. Undoing it is a welcome return to Glasgow for the artist, who first moved to the city in 2002 to study at Glasgow School of Art. Over almost 20 years in Glasgow, she has forged an internationally recognised practice. In 2014, Phillips was nominated for the Turner Prize, and in 2020, she received the world’s leading award for printmaking, The Queen Sonja Print Award, in Oslo. More about the artist Ciara Phillips is a Canadian/Irish artist who moved from New York to Glasgow in 2002 to study at Glasgow School of Art. For nearly twenty years, Phillips lived in Glasgow’s East End where she worked out of studios in Dennistoun and the Merchant City. In 2005, she began using the communal facilities at Glasgow Print Studio to develop an experimental and process-lead approach to printmaking that has since gained her international recognition in the field of contemporary art. In 2014, Phillips was nominated for the Turner Prize, and in 2020 she received the world’s leading award for printmaking, The Queen Sonja Print Award, in Oslo. Phillips has worked as an educator and as an artist in community contexts since the late 1990s, and her long-term artwork, Workshop (2010 - ongoing) - which engages people of all ages and backgrounds in thinking-through-making with her - has been shown in public museums and galleries in the UK and Ireland, Europe, North America and Australia. In her current role as Professor at The Art Academy: Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Bergen, Phillips foregrounds, “collectivity and reciprocity as necessary methods for the urgent work of thinking and doing the world, together”.

The Big Art Supply Swap is back at GoMA for 2025!Join us at for a day of creativity, community, and of course, swapping! Bring your lightly-used or new art materials to trade with fellow art enthusiasts, or simply come take home some used supplies for your next craft - all FREE. This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with local makers, declutter your studios or art cupboard, and support sustainable creativity. Don't miss out on this exciting event - mark your calendar now! This event is in partnership with CAN - Circular Arts Network , a circular economy tool created to support the arts. Please only bring in crafting supplies and not large items or items in bad condition. We reserve the right to refuse any items that are not consired fit for purpose. _EXAMPLES OF ITEMS WE WILL ACCEPT:_ MARK MAKING: inks, pencils, paints, brushes, pastels, erasers, chalks, charcoals, markers, all in light and good used condition. FIBROUS MATERIALS: yarn, fabric, thread, embroidery supplies, knitting needles/crochet hooks, thread, ribbon, quilting tools, WORKING sewing machines. TOOLS: scissors, glue guns, hole punches, easels, photo equipment, pottery tools, rulers SURFACES: canvas, watercolor paper, drawing paper, scratch boards, panels, sketchbooks, construction paper, newsprint EXPENDIBLES: glue, tape, butcher paper, sandpaper, popsicle sticks, googly eyes, etc. CRAFTS: beads, jewelry findings, containers of all sorts, artificial flowers, foam, felt, scrapbooking supplies, stamps, ink pads. _EXAMPLES OF ITEMS WE WILL __NOT __ACCEPT:_ damaged or dried out materials sharp or dangerous tools large items (that won't fit in the boot of a car) _magazines or books_ _construction/architectural waste_ _chemicals or toxic products_ _food containers_ _clothing items_ bedding & pillows glass or plastic bottles healthcare items CDs, VHS, DVDs, cassette tapes

Join us on Saturday 20th September, 2-3:30pm, for an artist talk with Hock-Aun Teh, whose work "Fitness is energy" is currently on show in our Gallery 2 exhibition "Through line". The artist will present an overview of his background, career, and inspiration. The talk will be followed by an informal Q&A with the public. 鄭傅安 Hock Aun Teh was the first person from Asia to graduate from The Glasgow School of Art’s Drawing and Painting Department, studying there from 1970-1974. Born in Malaysia to Chinese parents, he grew up in a remote jungle village and therefore did not know where Glasgow was, initially thinking it was in Russia, until he applied for a visa to go there. His original art training in Malaysia focused on English watercolours and the traditional Chinese ink painting of birds, bamboo, flowers and landscapes with waterfalls. Teh considers that his work contains four different cultural elements: his bright and strong sense of colour, which is unmistakably tropical; his calligraphic effect, which is Chinese; his materials, which are Western; and his techniques, which are unique and personal to his creative methods. His works are featured in many collections all over the world, including The Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), The Bulgarian National Art Gallery for Foreign Art, and The National Art Gallery of Malaysia. He also holds a Black Belt 6th Dan in Taekwon-Do and is the Grandmaster and Founder of the martial art of Tukido.