Welcome to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society.

‘Inspired by the Glasgow Girls’ Exhibition

Exhibition Runs from Monday 18th of November until Friday the 13th of December

Opening Hours: 11am – 4pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday unless by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in which case call 0141 946 6600 to arrange.

Five female artists from Glasgow present work which embodies both a celebratory nod to the past as well as an exploratory continuation of the intriguing themes and methods present in the work of the original esteemed Glasgow Girls.

‘The Glasgow Girls’ has become an iconic phrase both here and internationally when referring to artworks created in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s by a prominent group of female Glaswegian artists. This includes names such as Jessie M King, Bessie MacNicol, Helen Paxton Brown, Annie French, Frances Macdonald and of course Margaret Macdonald who became the wife and lifelong creative partner of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

All were inspired by different themes which included  nature, identity, fertility, sexuality, romantic mysticism, celtic symbolism, religious iconography and mythology. They also often incorporated the female figure within their compositions and drew upon ideas from poetry, resulting in almost fairy tale or dream like images which visually responded to written prose. This, along with their use of colour, materials and subject pulls from the subconscious with tangible emotion. Their unique style still influences artists and enthusiasts of today as we continue to research and unravel the thought processes behind the works of this incredible movement.

This group exhibition showcases the work of five contemporary female artists, currently living and working in Glasgow. This includes Sharon Ferris, Hannah Lyth, Choirstaidh McArthur, Rechel Petrie and Jade Sturrock.

Responding to and reinventing some of the prominent themes in the work of the Glasgow Girls, this group of artists have been selected due to parallels in each of their works. Whether this is a response to the human condition (female subjectivity, sexuality, fertility and liberation), our connection with nature and the organic, religious and symbolic iconography, or drawing from written pieces such as poetry and prose, the group are as diverse and multifaceted in their use of concept and material as the original Glasgow Girls.

  • 05/10/2024