A block of flats in Glasgow may not be the obvious location for an art gallery – but that’s exactly where a group of artists are set to showcase their latest work.
The Kitchen Sink is a multi-purpose gallery and performance space situated at the bottom of Torridon Court – a 23-storey tower block in Maryhill.
The gallery is the brainchild of artist Angharad Llewis who hopes it will bring the community together.
Her exhibition inspired by local shops is the first to be featured in the venue.
Angharad told BBC Scotland’s The Nine programme about why she chose a tower block for the project.
She said: “I was looking where there would be lots of people honestly, the community here is really diverse.
“There’s lots of walls, so I was thinking lots of people might want some art for their walls.”
Angharad, who is originally from Tipperley, says the exhibition is about more than just selling art.
“Its about celebrating communities and celebrating people,” she continued.
“We all had such a rubbish time during lockdown that the idea was just to have a bit of fun, and to create things where people are coming in – we’re almost having a different party every few months.”
There’s a fishy theme to the current exhibition, created by Angharad herself, which is based on a community fishmongers.
“The plan is every time you come here it’ll be a different type of retail unit, or at least that’s what it’ll look like,” Angharad added.
She continued: “It’s inspired by my local village fishmonger, which is a glorious community hub. It’s supposed to be where you go to get your scallops and whatnot but actually it’s where you go to find out who’s doing what.”
Future displays will also take inspiration from other retail units such as a restaurant.
And the community seem to be behind the project.
The artist says seeing the local children getting involved was unexpected but has been one of the highlights.
She said: “The local children have worked out that I’m a bit soft, they’ve figured out that I’ll swap drawings for a piece of art.
“We think for the next show we’ll have colouring books, we’ll have more things to interact with the children and at the end we’ll have a mini show, where we’ll have their work on the wall.”
There is lots planned for the space in the coming months, and it won’t just be art displays.
Glasgow based synth-pop punk band Brenda are next in line at the Sink, bringing music to the space.
They are set to host a music video launch at the gallery on 3 February.
