157 BYRES RD.
157 BYRES RD.
Information:
ADDRESS:
The Alchemy Experiment
157 Byres Road, G12 8TS
Glasgow​​​​​
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OPENING EVENING:
Friday 21st Nov 19:00-21:00
free entry
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OPENING HOURS:
Mon - Thu 8.30-18.00
Fri 8.30-18.00
Sat 9.00-18.00
Sun 10.00-17.00
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ARTIST LINKS:
@clootierugmaker
www.clootierugs.com
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HUGH GRAHAM
Clootie
21.11.25
27.11.25
FREE ENTRY
Clootie
(‘klu:ti’) a Scots term for a rag or cloth.
Making a ‘Clootie Rug’ comes from the necessity for thrift when small pieces of recycled fabric are hooked in strips through a hessian backing. This exhibition at the Alchemy Experiment, 157 Byres Road, Glasgow, between the 21st and 27th of November, 2025 brings together recent work that uses this thrift tradition to create unified visual images inspired by my wanderings. Experiencing nature is important for my personal and emotional wellbeing. Breathing the colours and textures of hedgerows, tide lines, rock formations are re-assembled in the studio using discarded and waste materials.
In the late 50’s and early 60’s I have a memory of visiting my grandparents in Stenton, a rural farming village in East Lothian. Their neighbour, a retired shepherd, sat at his front door weaving on a simple hand made frame. I have been drawn to the heritage and simplicity of this scene, as he worked with resources gathered from his local surroundings. The memory of the shepherd has stayed with me, so for this exhibition I will be in residence 10-12 and 2- 4 each day twining a rug for Frankie, Alchemy’s resident dog, on my own hand made frame.
Hugh Graham was born in 1951 and attended Edinburgh College of Art between 1969 and 1975. From 1975-1977 he was assistant to Glenrothes Town Artist, David Harding. Moving west, he was appointed as Artist in Residence at The Glasgow Arts Centre, a role that later developed into community arts outreach. This role continued for ten years working primarily in Priesthill and Nitshill in partnership with local play-schemes.
Hugh returned to the Glasgow Arts Centre to develop arts opportunities for parents and children in four Glasgow primary schools that contributed to their school and community environments. This explored the role of parents in their child’s education. He was then appointed as Senior Arts Worker with the Community Education Service to support community arts for adults and young people in Drumchapel, Easterhouse, Castlemilk and Pollok.
Attending Strathclyde University in 1999, Hugh obtained a post-graduate certificate in community learning and development. This led to a post in Family Learning with East Renfrewshire Council. He continued to work in Family Learning with a particular interest in early years development, bringing an inspirational approach to arts and play. Hugh retired in 2015 allowing him to explore other creative opportunities.
Purchase enquires - contact us at staff@alchemyexperiment.com