Bulb Fair

In 2004 I spent a year working in Port Glasgow, the world centre for shipbuilding fifty years ago, now a town facing economic decline. The result of this stay was a beautifully produced coffee table-style book. Conceived as a symbolic gift and unavailable commercially, the book was delivered uniquely to each of the 8000 households in the community by the local boys football club. Rather than having a public artwork imposed upon them, the Portonians received a document of their lives and of their participation as both the hosts and protagonists of an artistic experiment.

This image of highland dancers performing was taken at the Port Glasgow Town Hall during the annual Bulb Fair; a week-long event which serves as a gardening competition, a show of handicrafts and home baking, and a platform for local dancing talent. Images of dancing frequently appear in my work as a metaphor for celebration.

Text courtesy of the artist