Almost Nothing But Blue Ground
Immerse yourself in a world of colours, emotions, and imagination when Almost Nothing But Blue Ground comes to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Wednesday 20th November.
About Almost Nothing But Blue Ground
Performance lecture and discussion: 1 hour 15 minutes, (Free, drop in)
Come join us for an unforgettable afternoon of at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum! Immerse yourself in a world of colours, emotions, and imagination. This in-person event promises to be a feast for the senses. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to experience Almost Nothing But Blue Ground!
Almost Nothing But Blue Ground is a research project by artists Matthew Benington and Tom Pope.
It started in 2017 with the intention to explore and celebrate the life and work of Anna Atkins, the first ever person to publish a book of photographic images. After 2 years of research, we began to focus attention on her second publication, Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Ferns, made in collaboration with Anne Dixon. Out of 100 images, 25% represented Jamaican ferns, this led us to question why so many originated in Jamaica. Our research into the UCL Legacies of British Slavery database we discovered that Atkins husband, John Pelly-Atkins, and father in-law, Alderman Atkins, owned 9 plantations in Jamaica, thousands of slaves, boats, and docks. This shifted the focus of the project from celebrating the achievement of Atkins (particularly being a woman at that time) to acknowledging the origins of the privilege that allowed her to achieve it. The research informed a performative weeklong walk (2021) towing a trolley which exposed prints from Atkins home in Tonbridge to Ferring, where Dixon, her collaborator lived. Our walk went via Sir John Herschel's House in Hawkhurst, Herschel invented the process and would have shared it with Atkins. This research is presented in our work in a considered manner.
The completion of the walk created an archive of cyanotype prints, negatives, artefacts, research, and diary entries. In the performance assets are shared via a speaker, spoken word, visualiser, data projector and OHP.
Roger Griffith MBE (specialist in decolonisation), author and poet Dr Zakiya Mckenzie (Oral Testimony on the History of Jamaica, Rough Trade) and Dr Caroline Douglas (PHD, RCA in early Scottish photography) are important contributors to the project, with their work incorporated in the performative lecture.
Please Follow us @almostnothingbutblueground on instagram
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum or Glasgow Museums
Behind The Scenes Tour of GMRC
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre is home to over a million treasures, come and see for yourself on one of their regular Behind the Scenes Tours!
READ MORE
Alasdair Gray: Works from the Morag McAlpine Bequest
A display of nine of Alasdair Gray's works from The Morag McAlpine Bequest is open now in the Fragile Art Gallery in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
READ MORE
The Milky Way
The Milky Way is part of a touring programme for Feed – an arts-based project that promotes inclusive, sustainable approaches to infant feeding and public space.
READ MORE
Creative Citizens
Curated by artist Rachel Mimiec, this display in Kelvingrove's Community Gallery features props, costumes, and photography from all Creative Citizens productions!
READ MORE
Still Glasgow
Still Glasgow at the Gallery of Modern Art is an extensive new exhibition which has photography at its core and looks at Glasgow, past and present.
READ MORE
Themed Tours at The Burrell Collection
Join the Burrell Collection's expert Volunteer Guides as they take you on a journey through the collection with free themed weekly tours.
READ MORERetro Reels
Step back in time at Riverside Museum and immerse yourself in the unforgettable world of 1980s cinema, on a nostalgic journey through the props, stories, and creativity that shaped a generation.
READ MORE
Sculpture and Sketch at The Burrell Collection
Join The Burrell Collection for an informal sketching session in the gallery focused on the amazing sculpture collection. It’s free, materials are provided and there is no need to book!
READ MORE
Saturday Art Club
The Gallery of Modern Art holds a regular, drop in, Saturday Morning Art Club for 5 to 12 year olds!
READ MORE
Mini Museum Explorers at Kelvingrove
Join Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum for an exciting adventure at their Mini Museum Explorers event, where little ones can embark on a journey of discovery and imagination!
READ MORE
Kelvingrove Organ Recitals
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum holds delightful daily recitals by eminent local organists and visiting players!
READ MORE
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre Specialist Tours
Throughout the year Glasgow Museums Resource Centre holds Specialist Tours where you can join the curators for an in depth look at the collections!
READ MORE
Mini Museum Explorers at Riverside Museum
Join Riverside Museum for an exciting adventure at their Mini Museum Explorers event, where little ones can embark on a journey of discovery and imagination!
READ MORE
Laura Jane Wilkie & Ian Carr with Macalla and Woodlands Bäckafall
Join Laura Jane Wilkie & Ian Carr with Macalla and Woodlands Bäckafall for a cross-cultural music collaboration from Scotland, Sweden, Ireland and Iraq!
READ MORE
Specialist Tour: The Silk Road between Japan and Glasgow
Join Dr Yupin Chung, Curator of East Asian Art, on Tuesday 5th of May for a special tour looking at exquisite items from the 1878 Japanese Government Gift, including the fabulous collection of silk!
READ MORE
Barbie®: The Exhibition
Come and celebrate how Barbie has inspired generations across the world for almost seventy years when Barbie®: The Exhibition comes to Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum!
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble: Concerts for a Summer’s Night
Join the Scottish Ensemble at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum for Concerts for a Summer's Night... a musical celebration of the summer solstice!
READ MORE
Specialist Tour: The Secrets of Lacquer and Cinnabar
Join Curator of East Asian Art Yupin Chung and Ann Ainsworth on intriguing tour looking at a selection of superb lacquer objects and cinnabar on Tuesday 18th August!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Retro Reels
Step back in time at Riverside Museum and immerse yourself in the unforgettable world of 1980s cinema, on a nostalgic journey through the props, stories, and creativity that shaped a generation.
READ MORE
Wintering Well: Living With SAD Exhibition
This free mini-exhibition at The Mitchell Library showcases a creative collaboration between the Universities of Glasgow & Edinburgh and local residents living with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
READ MORE
Thompson150: Exhibition
This January Glasgow Life and The Mitchell Library are delighted to be hosting an exhibition by The Alexander Thomson Society marking the 150th anniversary of the death of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson.
READ MORE
The Scottish Motorhome, Caravan & Holiday Home Show
The Scottish Motorhome, Caravan & Holiday Home Show returns to the Scottish Event Campus for 2026 between the 5th and 8th of February!
READ MORE
Surreal: International Photography Exhibition
In February, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography will be displaying a month-long international photography exhibition with the theme Surreal running throughout the month.
READ MORE
Diptych/Triptych: International Photography Exhibition
In February, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography will be displaying a month-long international photography exhibition with the theme Diptych/Triptych running throughout the month.
READ MORE
The Creative Craft Show and The Scottish Quilting Show
The Scottish Quilting Show and The Creative Craft Show return to Glasgow in March, celebrating the skills and talents of artists and crafters; inspiring visitors to take up a hobby of their own!
READ MORE
Women in Photography: International Photography Exhibition
In March, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography will be displaying a month-long international photography exhibition showing the work of Women in Photography running throughout the month.
READ MORE
Environment: International Photography Exhibition
In March, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography will be displaying a month-long international photography exhibition with the theme Environment running throughout the month.
READ MOREFind other events in Glasgow
Sponsored Links