This week’s field trip to Glasgow provided an opportunity to engage with a range of exhibitions and institutions, each offering distinct curatorial approaches. From the historical collections of the Hunterian Museum to the politically charged installations at GoMA, the trip underscored the multifaceted ways in which art institutions engage with contemporary discourse. However, among the venues visited, Tramway stood out as the most compelling space. The space itself—once a tram depot—carries an industrial past that lingers within its vast, open structure, making it a uniquely atmospheric site for contemporary exhibitions. What resonated most with me was Maud Sulter’s Plantation, an installation that felt deeply rooted in both historical and personal narratives.
Plantation, by Maud Sulter, 2024. Mixed media installation. You Are My Kindred Spirit, Tramway, Glasgow, March 2024. Photograph taken by the author
One of the most striking elements of Plantation is Sulter’s inclusion of a video depicting female reconstructive surgery—a procedure she personally underwent. Performed by Dr. Vicki Hufnagel, who argues that the majority of hysterectomies in the U.S. are unnecessary, the video captures Sulter’s womb being removed, repaired, and then returned to her body. In her original artist’s statement, Sulter expressed deep gratitude toward Hufnagel, emphasizing the importance of conservation and repair in medical practice. This deeply personal yet political gesture speaks to broader themes of bodily autonomy, medical intervention, and the histories of women’s healthcare.
Additionally, Tramway’s cavernous architecture plays a key role in shaping the experience of Sulter’s work. The exhibition’s emphasis on voice—particularly Sulter’s own voice—resonates powerfully in this vast space. As she weaves together Scots vernacular, Old Scots language, and Ghanaian heritage, her words echo through the venue, transforming its industrial vastness into something intimate yet politically charged. The physicality of the space amplifies the work’s themes of diaspora, family, and erasure, making Tramway not just a backdrop but an active participant in the storytelling.
References
1、Veronica Simpson, “Maud Sulter: You Are My Kindred Spirit – Review,” Studio International, February 20, 2024, https://www.studiointernational.com/index.php/maud-sulter-you-are-my-kindred-spirit-review-tramway-glasgow.
2、Tramway, “Maud Sulter: You Are My Kindred Spirit,” Tramway, accessed March 9, 2025, https://www.tramway.org/event/4e836955-14b9-4bf9-b8ff-b210011e33ae/.
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