February 18–July 30, 2023
Artists: Rabiya Choudhry, Kate Davis, Sean Edwards, Onyeka Igwe, and Yuri Pattison
The Common Guild is pleased to announce anywhere in the universe, a new project that addresses the public library, looking at its present, past and future through a series of specially commissioned artworks by Rabiya Choudhry, Kate Davis, Sean Edwards, Onyeka Igwe, and Yuri Pattison. Each of the artist’s works will be presented in different locations across Glasgow during 2023.
anywhere in the universe launches with Give light and people will find the way (Ella Baker) (2022) a new commission by Rabiya Choudhry. The artwork takes shape as illuminated signage created for three of Glasgow’s East-End libraries that hold significance for the artist: Dennistoun Library, Shettleston Library and Glasgow Women’s Library (the former Bridgeton Library).
Give light and people will find the way (Ella Baker) (2022) is based on a painting by Choudhry, part of the artist’s ongoing project Lost Lighting–a series of lighting artworks for public places intended to “act like a vigil in the dark”. This is the first Lost Lighting artwork to be realised in public space. Their design repurposes Andrew Carnegie’s flaming torch motif; a feature found on many of Glasgow’s Carnegie library buildings as well as an emblem used in the bookplate for his own private library collection.
In Choudhry’s work, the torch is encircled with the words of African-American civil rights activist and organiser, Ella Baker (1903–1986) who worked to instigate societal change through individual and grassroots community empowerment. Baker’s words—“give light and people will find the way”—are a manifestation of power for ordinary people, invoking a spirit of togetherness and inspiring hope for change.
Choudhry says, “Ella Baker came to me through light. Her words felt like a special gift after years of contemplating life, loss, and light during one of the most difficult times. Her life, actions, and words are hugely inspiring and articulate what I wanted to echo in these public artworks for libraries at a time where light comes at some cost and hope is hard to put into words.”
Choudhry’s illuminated artworks will be accompanied by a fragment of narrative non-fiction from the award- winning journalist and author, Chitra Ramaswamy.
anywhere in the universe will continue through 2023 with projects by Onyeka Igwe, Kate Davis, Yuri Pattison and Sean Edwards announced later in the year.
Each artist has looked at a different aspect of the library, from the nature of the buildings, through the ways they organise and share information, to their social purpose. The project considers our libraries as essential spaces for knowledge exchange and community-building, as places to find refuge, a sense of belonging and civic identity, while the title reflects libraries’ role as inspirational portals for the imagination.
The project is supported by The Ampersand Foundation, Hope Scott Trust and Culture Ireland.
The Common Guild is supported by Creative Scotland.
