GSA & Cultures of Making

Glasgow School of Art's Culture's of Making exhibition publication designed by D8, photography by Alan McAteer at McAteer Photo

GSA & Cultures of Making

The Glasgow School of Art’s Silversmithing and Jewellery Department recently invited photographer Alan McAteer to create a unique series of portraits capturing the essence of GSA’s faculty and their artistry, to be used in a printed publication and as publicity imagery.

The photographs show staff from across the school’s departments and disciplines, displaying contemporary jewellery and objects designed and crafted by five esteemed GSA tutors, each of whom selected two graduates to feature alongside them. This collaboration was showcased at the Cultures of Making exhibition at the Grassimuseum in Leipzig, one of Europe’s leading institutions for design and applied art. The exhibition was curated by the respected exhibition maker and producer, Amanda Game.

In the exhibition’s beautiful companion publication, Amanda reflects on the vibrant talent and creative spirit that defines Glasgow, paying homage to the Glasgow School of Art’s influential place on the global stage of design and education. She emphasises studio practice as a nurturing space for artists to explore and flourish. Of Alan McAteer’s work, she remarks, “The set of newly commissioned photographs by Alan McAteer… animates this human dimension of studio practice. The images show people imbued with vivid material curiosity, delight, and haptic knowledge, a spirit of humour and inventiveness, all connected through the opportunity to wear, share, and explore some of the innovative jewellery and metalwork emerging from the GSA.”

Alan describes this project as especially meaningful and creatively satisfying. It allowed him to collaborate closely with fellow creatives, including maker and tutor Silvia Weidenbach to produce images that capture a quiet, contemplative intimacy between the wearer and the object. The images were taken in different areas of The School to emphasise the creative origin, and styled to provide the viewer with a connection to the jewellery and its wearer.

The exhibition was presented as part of the annual Grassimesse 2024, an ‘international meeting place for design enthusiasts and lovers of beautiful things’.

The companion publication featuring McAteer Photo’s images, bios of the exhibiting tutors and their tributes to their chosen graduates and fellow makers was designed by Glasgow’s D8.