20 years ago, SWG3 started with a group of artists’ studios in a derelict warehouse, and it has since grown into one of Europe’s most credible and loved multi-discipline arts venues.
In a city that has art and music pumping through its veins, SWG3 has grown to become one of Scotland’s leading independent venues — a place where creativity, community and commerce collide. Starting from humble beginnings, SWG3 has reimagined Glasgow’s industrial heritage — transforming an old galvanizer’s yard by the ghost of the Clyde shipyards – for today’s creative economy. Starting with a group of artists’ studios in a derelict warehouse, SWG3 is now one of Europe’s most credible and loved multi-discipline arts venues, and has become a staple in the lives of arts and music lovers throughout Scotland.
To celebrate our 20th year, we have teamed up with a host of local, much loved artists, distillers and clothing brands to produce a range of products that capture the essence, and the growth of SWG3 since it's beginnings.
We are excited to be producing a book which will celebrate and tell the story of the 20 year history of SWG3. This book will be designed, written and curated by artists and residents of the building, poet Leyla Josephine and designer Phoebe Wilson.
With a focus on the key moments, stories, and memories from the people who’ve made SWG3 what it is today, the book will capture the spirit of the venue – from it's rough and ready beginnings, to where we are now.
Working alongside our riverside neighbours The Clydeside Distillery, and world renowned artist Jim Lambie, we will be releasing Velvet Odyssey: A limited edition PX sherry cask finished whisky – a first of it's kind for the distillery.
The whisky's packaging will be designed in Lambie’s work, which first appeared adorned in his signature style of layered psychedelic vinyl tape, across a Daimler Limousine displayed at the Comme des Garçons Guerrilla Pop Up in 2006.
We will be unveiling an exciting new sculpture that will be proudly displayed in our community garden, which will help unify the past and present of our venue. It pays tribute to one of the first artists to rent a studio space in the building: Sandy Smith.
The work, titled Please Don't Break My Heart is a nod to Smith's roots at SWG3, and is inspired by his seminal work which reads All The Time I Was Making This I Was Thinking Of You – which was first displayed back in 2007 in our gallery.
We are incredibly excited to be working alongside clothing brand Folk Clothing to create an innovative collection of three distinctive items, which will celebrate our focus on being artist-led establishment – from our very beginnings until the current day.
This collection will take inspiration from Sandy Smith's seminal work which reads All The Time I Was Making This I Was Thinking of You, and will embody the intersection of art and fashion that has long been part of our identity.