In March 2011 I was commissioned by Glasgow Housing Association as artist-in-residence to Govan Riverside Housing Estate. This was to be the beginning of an amazing journey that continually opened new paths into issues of identity, democracy and power. There are three entries on this site devoted to Govan Riverside: Actions, Markers and Nothing About Us Without Us Is For Us.
For further documentation and information on these projects please see Sacrificial Materials
The building of the Riverside Museum unique opportunity to begin a conversation about the nature of this place for local people and visitors.The Govan Raid. 120 people crossed the Clyde to reclaim the territory of the Riverside Museum for Govan. (see Films)The History Day followed the Raid and started with the statement of Professor Stephen Driscoll ‘Govan has had two eras of greatness, that is two more than most places’. The giant earthwork Doomster Hill stood on the site of Govan Riverside for about 1800 years before it was levelled in 1850 to make way for the shipyards. This was the Parliament Hill for the Kingdom of Strathclyde between c. 800 – 1000 AD.
The newly refurbished walkway along the Clyde at Govan Riverside had never had a name. Suggestions came and were voted on in the estate.
