AN INTERACTIVE exhibition exploring Glasgow’s love-hate relationship with Brutalism architecture has been announced.
Brutal Glasgow, which will run September 16-22, will take visitors on a journey from Anniesland Tower to the Gallowgate Twins and give them a unique insight into the city’s Brutalist buildings from past and present.
Hosted in the Glasgow City Heritage Trust office, the exhibition will feature commentary from architects and academics, as well as first-hand stories from those who lived, worked and socialised in the iconic buildings.
Glasgow-based artist Natalie Tweedie, also known as Nebo Peklo, will have her distinctive illustrations of buildings and places in the city on show.
Tweedie said she hopes her work will help people see the beauty and the significance of Brutalist architecture in Glasgow instead of considering the buildings “ugly”.
She said: “I'm absolutely delighted to be involved in this project with Glasgow City Heritage Trust and to work alongside Rachel Loughran, whose curation brings a new depth to understanding Brutalism in Glasgow. As someone who has always been passionate about mid-century design, this collaboration is incredibly meaningful to me.
“Through my work, I aim to create a sense of connection for people — whether it's the street they grew up on or the building where they celebrated significant moments. I want to bring beauty to buildings which some people would consider ugly.
“It's a privilege to contribute to an exhibition that celebrates the powerful and often overlooked beauty of Brutalist architecture in our city.”
Brutalism is regarded as a stark style of functionalist architecture and rose in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s in the UK.
The unique architectural art style is characterised by a minimalist construction which showcases the bare building materials and structural elements.
Brutalism lends its name from the word “beton brut” meaning “raw concrete” and the construction style of the buildings usually uses massive concrete blocks.
Rachel Loughran, who curated the exhibition, said there is more to buildings than just raw materials and that they tell stories and hold memories of the communities to which they belong.
She said: “For many people, Brutalism is a byword for ugly. Or worse still – concrete. For others, it’s iconic. And for many Glaswegians, witnesses to the rapid rise and fall of tower blocks across the city, Brutalism means failure. Its legacy is divisive but crucial to the city's heritage.
“A building is more than just its materials; it's a store of memories and a marker of our social and cultural history. This exhibition, Brutal Glasgow, explores the complex, sometimes surprising narratives underneath the concrete.
“Curating Natalie Tweedie’s arresting illustrative designs with interactive multimedia has been a focused and rewarding task. It’s seen me up tower blocks, down in nightclubs (yes, The Savoy) and gaining valuable insights from guest writers, community contributors and my outstanding partners Glasgow City Heritage Trust.
“If I have one aim, it’s to encourage people to see their city and its buildings with a renewed interest as I have done myself researching and developing Brutal Glasgow.”
The exhibition is hosted by Glasgow City Heritage Trust and will be open every day of the Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival.
Entry for Brutal Glasgow is free and the trust's manager, Rachel Kacir, said she hopes the exhibition offers a new perspective on Brutalism.
She said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the Brutal Glasgow exhibition at our office in Bell Street, right in the heart of the Merchant City.
“Collaborating with Rachel and Natalie on this project has been a joy, and the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the city’s built environment, inviting the public to engage with and appreciate these much maligned structures.
“We look forward to welcoming lots of people to see it, but if you can’t make it along in person, not to worry – you can explore it online too!”
