May 2023
Momentum marked a pivotal moment in Ellis Bairstow's curatorial journey as the first exhibition organized under the GSA Gallery Society. The core mission of the Society was to provide Glasgow School of Art students with consistent opportunities to exhibit their work outside the confines of the art school, expanding their reach and visibility. Ellis aimed to make the exhibitions inclusive of all disciplines, ensuring that students from every course and media had a chance to participate.
The curatorial rationale behind Momentum was to showcase the very essence of what the GSA Gallery Society stood for: inclusivity, diversity, and creative freedom. By exhibiting the works of 25 artists representing every school at GSA, the show embodied the Society’s goal of creating a broad, interdisciplinary platform for emerging artists. The exhibition successfully laid the groundwork for future shows, establishing a thriving avenue for regular exhibitions and artistic dialogue beyond the walls of the art school.