Commercial feature: Exhibition will raise a glass to Glaswegians

REAL Glasgow folk are at the heart of a soon to open exhibition from renowned Glaswegian photographer David Boni.

Twenty five intimate portraits will be on display to spotlight Glasgow’s unique sense of style - with some surprisingly smooth characters featured, including a retiree ballet dancer, a dapper factory worker, a fire-fighter with a love of fine tailoring and an ex-burlesque dancer.

Selected via a city wide casting call for ‘smooth Glaswegians’, the colourful personalities were shot by award-winning, local photographer David Boni - whose iconic body of work was recently exhibited at the prestigious Retina Scottish International Photography Festival.

‘The Glasgow Folk’ exhibition was commissioned by Whyte & Mackay Blended Scotch Whisky, which is paying homage to the spirit of the city that has played a big part in creating the whisky’s smooth taste and character since it was founded in Glasgow in 1844.

The free to access event will take place in an inherently Glaswegian venue, taking over the main swimming pool space at the Govanhill Baths.

The striking Edwardian public bath house was closed in 2001, then reopened in 2013 after a community campaign to save the building.

Those who can’t attend the exhibition at the Govanhill Baths will have another chance to see the portraits, which will pop up on the streets around Trongate and Candleriggs from 28th November to 11th December.

Jen McCormick, brand manager for Whyte & Mackay, said: "This new exhibition is a nod to the fact that Glaswegians carry themselves with style, but also a confidence and wit that is unique to the city.

As a Glasgow native, David Boni has really managed to capture this, celebrating our hometown’s smooth character, which has in turn shaped our surprisingly smooth blended Scotch whisky."

Whyte & Mackay’s ‘Glasgow Folk’ exhibition takes place on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November, from 12pm - 8pm at The Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder St, Glasgow G42 7RA. Free to access. Visitors over 18 years of age will enjoy a free dram of Whyte & Mackay between 4pm – 8pm.

For more information see: www.facebook.com/whyteandmackay

Twitter: @whyteandmackay #staysmoothglasgow

Kenn McFarlane, 57

BARRHEAD’S smoothest hairdresser. Kenny wears whatever he feels like, regardless of the stick he may get off all his mates, who are in a slightly different line of work to him, as taxi drivers and joiners. He signed up to Whyte & Mackay’s Facebook casting call after three of his clients told him about it, all in the same day.

Kenny’s kids encouraged both himself and his wife to enter some photos, and he was surprised to be picked at all. When you ask him how he feels about being involved, he says: ‘I’m laughing because I was chosen for a start, then I was quite surprised to see they used me for the invite! I’m excited to see the full thing put together’.

His individual style is something he’s perfected since he was young. At school, everyone was into buzz cuts, but he had longer hair and didn’t want to part with it. Since then, he’s done his own thing.

What he loves about Glasgow? "My wife used to say that when I worked in the city centre, my whole face would just light up when I stepped off the train, it’s got such a great atmosphere".

Roseleen Malan, 67

A BARRA’S institution, Roseleen Malan, 67, is the self-proclaimed ‘lady of the lamps’ because of all the lamps available on her antiques stall. Lamps that are only outshone by her sparkling patter.

Born in Maryhill, she spent most of her life living in England and then South Africa, before returning to Springboig in the city’s East End 14 years ago. The main reason she moved back? ‘Grandchildren – they’re very influential people, you know’.

She was spotted in the street and was asked to be a part of the exhibition. ‘Some gentleman outside must have spotted me doing something ridiculous, they came in to take some photos’. She’s always done things her own way, and has been known wherever she goes for having a larger than life character. The Barras, she says, gives you the opportunity to be yourself, some real characters can come out there.

She’s excited to be involved in the exhibition, and says it’s nice to think that she was noticed as a part of Glasgow, a part of The Barras institution. Perhaps unsurprisingly, her favourite thing about the city is the shopping, which can’t be beat.

Michael Campbell, 54

DAPPER fireman Michael Campbell, 54, knows a thing or two about style. He has his tailor on speed dial, who will call when he finds rare and unusual fabrics that will spark Michael’s interest.

He’s lived in Paisley all his life and answered Whyte & Mackay’s casting call looking for ‘Smooth Glaswegians’ to feature in the exhibition, on Facebook.

In the last 15 years he’s perfected his unique style, rejecting run of the mill fashion trends in favour of something a bit different. He looks through old books for inspiration and gets clothes specially made to suit himself, including three tweed coats. He loves the variety of restaurants that can be found in Glasgow, and spends lots of time eating out… ‘It’s a wonderful city’.

On being asked to be part of the exhibition, he said it was all a lot of fun: ‘David Boni was very charming, he was professional and made me feel really welcome. I’m really looking forward to seeing the exhibition in person!’