SWG3 is delighted to announce the latest addition to The Billboard Project series – a striking work by Glasgow artist Trackie McLeod.
As part of our continued 20th year celebrations, the installation forms part of a wider programme marking two decades of music, art, fashion and innovation at the venue.
The billboard centres around the phrase “text me when you get home”, a message that speaks to the unequal experiences of safety faced by women, trans, queer people and other marginalised communities. It's a message that is fitting with Trackie's wider work – with his practice spanning textiles, sculpture, video and print often reflecting on masculinity, queerness, class, politics and popular culture, expressed through a distinctly Scottish visual language.
Growing up queer, ‘text me when you get home’ was always my mum’s way of keeping me safe. As I’ve gotten older, I say it to the women and queer people in my life without even thinking. We say it because safety isn’t equal. Women, trans and queer people, and other marginalised communities still navigate public spaces with fear and vigilance. Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets.
Having this work outside SWG3 felt right, it’s a reminder to everyone especially party-goers to look out for each other and make sure your pals get home safe.
Trackie McLeod. Artist.
The Billboard Project began in 2015, initiated by Jim Lambie, who installed the first work. Since then, the project has grown into an ongoing series co-curated by Lambie and SWG3, showcasing large-scale works that blur the line between language, image, and gesture. Featured artists have included Sue Tompkins, Scott King and Matthew Higgs, David Keenan, and the globally renowned Yoko Ono, whose contribution DREAM remains one of the project’s most iconic moments.
