Tramway

By the end of the 1980s, this southside venue was a neglected corner of the Glasgow landscape, long since redundant as a tram shed and no longer needed as the Museum of Transport which moved out in 1986. But all changed when the famous theatre director Peter Brook saw the building's potential and used it to stage his epic production of The Mahabharata in 1988. The city woke up to the possibilities offered by this expansive industrial space and, with Glasgow's Year of Culture around the corner, the Tramway was born.

 

For artist and art lover alike what Tramway offers more than any other gallery in the city is a monumental sense of scale. Its airy brick-lined spaces open great opportunities to the artist bold enough to exploit them. And even after the refurbishment of 2000, the building has an energising rough-and-ready industrial atmosphere, perfectly suited to the  programme of innovative artists from Scotland and beyond.

 

Although Andy Goldsworthy, David Mach and Douglas Gordon were among the first to exhibit here, it's not all about the large scale. The building is extensive enough to accommodate several smaller rooms, many of which have been used for installations at events such as the National Review of Live Art.

 

No visit is complete without a tour round the Hidden Gardens, the attractive landscape at the back of the building developed by NVA in consultation with local people. While you're enjoying a peaceful wander look out for the permanent artworks, including Gerry Loose's sandstone poetry and Alex Finlay's woodland library.