FOOLS GOLD at the Briggait Project Spaces, Glasgow
Exhibition Information
Glasgow based visual artist Janie Nicoll, transforms the Briggait with an exhibition spanning the two glass box project spaces at the front of the prestigious multi-award winning building that was formerly the fish-market for Glasgow.
Nicoll creates new eye catching installation artworks that re-examine imagery and text thrown up by the process of dredging through her own musical heritage.
The text ”We're the flowers in the dustbin” is taken from the song “God Save The Queen” by seminal Punk band The Sex Pistols, a song whose notoriety caused the band to be catapulted to fame in the summer of 1976. Reworked in papier maché this text is made using contemporary newspapers, many of whose pages contain images of civil unrest, echoing the malcontent of the earlier era.
“I’m watching you sinking” uses a line from the song “Fools Gold” by the Manchester band The Stone Roses, another seminal song that heralded the emergence of the rave scene in 1989. The title of the exhibition literally resonates through each piece of work, echoing previous artworks such as “We Are All Prostitutes”, a work underpinned by the Faustian notion that we have all sold our souls to the devil in one way or another and “Fake Gold Ring”, where there is a concern with the appropriation of value and the use of imitation.
Nicoll explores imagery associated with different musical genres, reworking “The Torch” and Fred Perry laurel leaf, synonymous with Northern Soul patches and badges, iconography usually associated with a fierce loyalty, here are rendered in imitation gold leaf or “Liquid leaf” gold paint, depersonalised and isolated as singular more ambiguous images. Nicoll has previously recreated these familiar images as banner works, using ‘Handle with Care Tape’ hinting at an impotence that again resonates in the current works.
Nicoll’s work employs a punk aesthetic and an angry, aggressive yet painterly approach to transform the dual spaces playing with imagery associated with various sub-cultural movements such as Northern Soul, Ska and Punk, in a continuation of her exploration of themes to do with the notions of masculinity, fraternity and rebellion. Inevitably these works obliquely reference the socio-economic situation and the feelings of alienation that result.
Exhibition runs until 25th November, opening hours Monday - Friday 9.30pm -5.30pm.
The Briggait Project Spaces
The Briggait
141 Bridgegate
Glasgow
G1 5HZ
Glasgow based visual artist Janie Nicoll, transforms the Briggait with an exhibition spanning the two glass box project spaces at the front of the prestigious multi-award winning building that was formerly the fish-market for Glasgow.
Nicoll creates new eye catching installation artworks that re-examine imagery and text thrown up by the process of dredging through her own musical heritage.
The text ”We're the flowers in the dustbin” is taken from the song “God Save The Queen” by seminal Punk band The Sex Pistols, a song whose notoriety caused the band to be catapulted to fame in the summer of 1976. Reworked in papier maché this text is made using contemporary newspapers, many of whose pages contain images of civil unrest, echoing the malcontent of the earlier era.
“I’m watching you sinking” uses a line from the song “Fools Gold” by the Manchester band The Stone Roses, another seminal song that heralded the emergence of the rave scene in 1989. The title of the exhibition literally resonates through each piece of work, echoing previous artworks such as “We Are All Prostitutes”, a work underpinned by the Faustian notion that we have all sold our souls to the devil in one way or another and “Fake Gold Ring”, where there is a concern with the appropriation of value and the use of imitation.
Nicoll explores imagery associated with different musical genres, reworking “The Torch” and Fred Perry laurel leaf, synonymous with Northern Soul patches and badges, iconography usually associated with a fierce loyalty, here are rendered in imitation gold leaf or “Liquid leaf” gold paint, depersonalised and isolated as singular more ambiguous images. Nicoll has previously recreated these familiar images as banner works, using ‘Handle with Care Tape’ hinting at an impotence that again resonates in the current works.
Nicoll’s work employs a punk aesthetic and an angry, aggressive yet painterly approach to transform the dual spaces playing with imagery associated with various sub-cultural movements such as Northern Soul, Ska and Punk, in a continuation of her exploration of themes to do with the notions of masculinity, fraternity and rebellion. Inevitably these works obliquely reference the socio-economic situation and the feelings of alienation that result.
Exhibition runs until 25th November, opening hours Monday - Friday 9.30pm -5.30pm.
The Briggait Project Spaces
The Briggait
141 Bridgegate
Glasgow
G1 5HZ
Recent Artworks
Vault Art Fair, the Briggait, Glasgow - September 2011
"a new contemporary art event for the city. Vault is an opportunity for artists to sell their work and for the public, collectors and galleries to buy contemporary art. Twelve innovative galleries and organisations have been invited to present a diverse range of selected artwork for sale by contemporary artists from Glasgow and beyond, creating a snapshot of one of the most original and exciting contemporary art scenes in Europe." Check out their website here.
 "Fake Gold RIng" (MDF and Spray Paint) and "The TORCH" and "KEEP THE FAITH" Banners, Parcel Tape on Cotton. |
 "Fake Gold RIng" MDF and Spray Paint, and "KEEP THE FAITH" Banner, Parcel Tape on Cotton. (Rear view) |
With thanks to William Love and Westend Cabinetmakers, Glasgow.
"KEEP THE FAITH" and "THE TORCH", both parcel tape on perspex.
