My City: Boiiing shares his favourite cultural spots in Glasgow
Galleries, street art, murals, and festivals – take a trip to Glasgow with artist Boiiing, who shares the best cultural hot spots to visit in his town.
Where are your favourite spots to find inspiration in Glasgow?
I find inspiration everywhere. In some of the amazing wee galleries dotted around the city, I love The Barras market, for the characters and the extreme variety of things to see. I love the old architecture in the city and often just wander around some of the beautiful old areas looking at the amazing buildings with their statues and ostentatious decorations.
Can you recommend any hidden gem art galleries or studios that locals should check out?
I think some of the best times for art in the city are during some of the many art festivals – Glasgow International obviously, Cryptic, Buzzcut, and over Doors Open Day, there’s loads of festivals in the city and they take you to cool buildings and galleries that you might never have thought of before. Glasgow is so full of creativity it’s amazing and the festivals are the best times to find your new fave spot.
What are your must-visit cultural events or festivals in Glasgow throughout the year?
Yardworks at SWG3 is the street art and graffiti festival usually in May every year. The Yard (hence the name) and the street leading all the way down to the site are full of life as its a live painting event with artists from Glasgow… Scotland and all over the World coming to create some astounding artworks right there in front of you. It’s a really fun day. There’s loads of families, stuff for the wee ones to do, everyone brings their dogs, there are DJ’s – it’s really fun.
Are there any unique street art or mural locations in Glasgow that you admire?
There’s this spot in Shawlands behind the arcade on Pollokshaws Road where this artist called BOIIING has painted a mural that I love… Seriously though – there is so much street art in Glasgow, it’s amazing, I’d recommend doing a wee tour for any one that is interested to learn more about the art works in the city centre and maybe see some you hadn’t happened upon before.
Can you share your favourite outdoor spaces or parks in Glasgow for finding peace and creativity?
My go to is Kelvingrove and The Botanics – as they’re stunning – watch out for the deranged squirrels though. Otherwise, I love Linn Park in the Southside. It’s in Mount Florida more or less but really feels like you’ve escaped the din of the city and are in a peaceful forest oasis and in summer people wild swim in the river and splash around in the waterfall. It’s great.
Who are some of your favourite Glasgow-based artists?
I love the work of France-Lice McGurn, it’s so beautiful and gestural and soft but has a playful sense to it too – it’s absolutely stunbags. Street Art wise I love PizzaBoys work. I also love the work of my studiomate at Pipe Factory, Cavan Jayne. She’s a natural dye expert and fashion queen.
Follow Boiiing on Instagram or visit boiiing.xyz.
