4th September – 5th October

http://www.alastairjacksonphotography.co.uk/

 

‘Tradeston R.I.P.’

“As a photographer, the Tradeston area of Glasgow interests me very much. Tradeston is bounded by the River Clyde to the north, the Glasgow to Paisley railway line to the south, Eglinton Street and Bridge Street to the east and West Street to the west. The M74 Extension traverses the hotchpotch of abandoned tenements, burnt out wastelands, low rise 1970’s industrial units, and some new flatted developments – a testament to decades of poor planning and congenital mismanagement by the City Fathers. Tradeston should represent “an open goal” for any Glasgow City Council administration, and should be at the heart of regeneration in the city. Up until now, regeneration has progressed (not always well) in many areas, yet Tradeston, so close to the city centre, remains neglected. The city needs to regenerate that part. It would be pivotal in reconnecting the Southside back across the river.

 

 

I was keen to document this area as it is now, before any proposed regeneration commences – if it ever happens.
Glasgow must be the only city in Europe with a major waterway running through it which does not exploit that in any way. If you go to many European cities such as Bristol, you can see that they have converted their disused docks and shabby warehouses into bars, artspaces, accommodation and shops to create an appealing area for locals and tourists alike to visit and enjoy themselves.

Somehow I don’t think this is going to happen any time soon in Tradeston R.I.P.”

Alastair’s recent exhibitions:
2016 ‘On Returning’ Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine
2016 ‘An Roghainn’ (collaboration with poet Kenneth Steven) Aros Centre, Portree
2017 ‘An Roghainn’ Stanza Poetry Festival, St Andrews
2017 Excerpts from ‘An Roghainn’ Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh