NEW ‘LIVING WITH WAR’ EXHIBITION OPENS IN THE GALLERY OF MODERN ART, GLASGOW

A new exhibition entitled LIVING WITH WAR: Artists on war and conflict has opened in the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow.  The major new display of paintings, prints, sculpture and video from around the world combines new acquisitions and objects from the Glasgow Museums collection.  Together they illustrate the individual artist’s response to war and conflict.

FRIDAY EXCLUSIVE EVERYWHERE TASTE-DESIRE-FEAR-OFFICIAL (1986-87)

©Conrad Atkinson

On view for the first time will be several recent additions to the collection, including the oil on canvas painting by Conrad Atkinson entitled, ‘Friday Exclusive Everywhere Taste-Desire-Fear-Official’ (1986-87), from his ‘News Stand’ series. 

The exhibition includes major works, by artists such as Walid Raad and Israeli-born, Berlin-based artist Omer Fast, that were acquired in partnership with the Common Guild, Glasgow during the Art Fund International collecting project. Fast’s video installation ‘Continuity’ (2012) was a highlight of the critically acclaimed dOCUMENTA 13 exhibition in Germany in 2012.  

These recent purchases are complemented by historic artworks such as prints by Francisco de Goya and Otto Dix.

LIVING WITH WAR illustrates how artists from destinations as far reaching as Brazil, Los Angeles, and South Korea, as well asUK based artists, respond to the prevalence and effect of conflict around the world.  It covers the period from 1800 to the present day and promises powerful artworks ranging from explicit anti-war statements to documentary evidence and symbolic commentary.

Haywain with Cruise Missiles (1980)

Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor Archie Graham, said: “It is wonderful to see our collection grow with the addition of these important new pieces thanks to a hugely successful and beneficial five year project with the Common Guild and the Art Fund.  This incredibly powerful exhibition stops you in your tracks.  It makes clear the vital role that artist play in society and their ability to broaden our understanding of the effects of war and conflict around the globe.  I would urge you to make time to see this display.”