The Alasdair Gray Archive
‘ONE OF THE VERY GREATEST WRITERS OF THE LAST FIFTY YEARS’
Jonathan Coe
The Alasdair Gray Archive, photographed by Alan Dimmick in 2021; Alasdair Gray photographed, photographer unknown, courtesy AGA
The Alasdair Gray Archive was established in March 2020 after Alasdair Gray’s death on 29th of December 2019. The Archive exists to enhance the reputation and understanding of one of Scotland’s most significant cultural polymaths of the 20th century, and through his legacy support others. You can find out more about the Archive's history in the video below:
‘Our History’, 2023, The Alasdair Gray Archive, directed by Kevin Cameron, narrated by Kate Dickie, funded by Creative Scotland, courtesy AGA
Alasdair Gray
Nationality: Scottish. Born: Glasgow, 1934. Education: Whitehill Senior Secondary School, 1946-52; Glasgow Art School (Bellahouston traveling scholarship, 1957), 1952-57, diploma in mural painting and design 1957. Career: Art teacher, Lanarkshire and Glasgow, 1958-61; scene painter, Pavilion and Citizens' theaters, Glasgow, 1961-63; freelance painter and writer, Glasgow, 1963-76; artist recorder, People's Palace Local History Museum, Glasgow, 1976-77; writer-in-residence, Glasgow University, 1977-79. Since 1979 freelance writer and painter. Selected Bibliography: Novels: Lanark (1981) Janine (1984), The Fall of Kelvin Walker (1985), Something Leather (1990), McGrotty and Ludmilla (1990), Poor Things (1992), A History Maker (1994), Mavis Belfrage (1996), Old Men In Love (2007), Short stories: Unlikely Stories, Mostly (1983), Lean Tales (1985) (with James Kelman and Agnes Owens) (1995), Ten Tales Tall & True (1993), The Ends of Our Tethers: 13 Sorry Stories (2005), Every Short Story by Alasdair Gray 1951-2012 (2012) Collected Plays: A Gray Play Book (2009).
Alasdair Gray (1934-2019) was a true polymath with his unique vision spanning multiple mediums. He made poems, plays, short stories, novels, political essays, marginalia, typeset and designed his books and those of others, created murals, paintings, drawings and prints. He taught creative writing and visual art whilst actively championing those around him. He was a proud supporter of socialism, believing in a fair and equitable society. He lived by these principles, paying assistants at the same rate of pay as himself and valuing the ability for everyone to have the right to the freedom of thought that culture provides. This was most notable in his support of libraries and the belief in the transformative power of literature and the arts. As a child he would use books to travel and experience different worlds and cultures from his bedroom in Riddrie. This had a profound effect on Gray and is a cornerstone of the aims and objectives of The Alasdair Gray Archive. To offer that space to others, to escape and learn about themselves and others and to travel back inspired by what they have learnt
The Archive holds the collection of original visual artworks, sketches and drawings bequeathed to Gray’s son Andrew and held at the Archive for research and learning purposes. The Archive also houses all Gray’s original prints, a restaging of his working studio set up, a section of his personal library, all Gray publications (including those he designed for others) as well as a section of literary papers, photographs and correspondence. The Archive is open to the public for bookable visits and through the developing website. This extensive collection of works allows the Archive to present Gray’s work in a number of different contexts; through exhibitions, long term loans to public galleries and museums as well as acting as a catalyst for new commissions. This activity is in line with a core aim of the Archive; to promote, disseminate and educate a local, national and international audience on the life and work of this celebrated cultural polymath.
The Archive will be working in partnership with existing public collections of Gray’s work to create connections and further opportunities for learning. All enquiries and applications to loan works for exhibition and other events are welcomed.
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