Sierra Metro presents SKU by Morven Mulgrew and Kate Owens

Preview: Thursday 19 May (6-8pm)

Exhibition: 20 May - 19 June 2022 (open daily 10am-2pm or by appointment)

SKU 

keeping stock

tracking movement

combining characters 

SKU encounters and reveals the embodied methods of production within Morven Mulgrew and Kate Owens individual practices in ceramics and printed textiles respectively, and considers the commercial and social value of their output through an installation which plays with the boundaries of retail and exhibition space, display and convention. For SKU, a shared interest in performative making and collaboration puts physical process at the forefront, whilst questioning, through exhibition making, performance, workshops and talks, who is privileged as 'browser', 'shopper', 'viewer' or 'maker' of the work and its communications.

Morven Mulgrew works across sculpture, design, costume and performance, making live work and ceramic objects that relate to the body. Mulgrew currently performs as stockkeeper at her world famous stall in the Barras Glasgow, selling pottery through patter. 

Kate Owens’ practice wobbles between art, craft and performance. Her textile works combine print with choreography, using movement in opposition to being fixed or restricted. Owens’ stock-ing experience dates back to her Saturday job selling hosiery at what was once ‘Scotland’s oldest independent department store’ Jenners. 

Sierra Metro is a not for profit gallery committed to artist-centred practice and our intention is to showcase and support emerging and mid-career visual artists and designers. We aim to engender a climate of flexibility and experimentation for everyone who exhibits with us, and offer broad public access to contemporary art experiences and discussions.

Morven Mulgrew (b. Cumbria 1982) is a multi-disciplinary Artist and Designer based in Glasgow. She graduated from GSA Sculpture in 2004, Cordwainer's college 2007 and Ecole de Theatre de Jacques LeCoq 2012. She was Co-Designer and collaborator in Lucy McCormick's most recent show Life:LIVE!, performed in the Grand Hall,  Battersea Arts Centre (2021), BBC Performance Live! (2021), Fierce Festival Birmingham (2020) as well as making work for performances at Colchester Arts Centre (2015) and Roxy Assembly Edinburgh (2015) amongst others. She was a National Theatre of Scotland Thinking Space Artist 2021 and was awarded the Inches Carr Craft Bursary 2021. Mulgrew was long listed for the Jerwood makers open in 2020 as well as receiving an A-N Bursary and VACMA Award 2020 for work on sustainable kiln firings. She is a patent holder in several international countries for company Storksak Ltd. In 2021, she co-founded ESTD. an artist’s unit based in the Barras Market in Glasgow and continues to programme events, fairs and performances in the space as well as running a weekly stall there.

Kate Owens (b. Bo’ness 1979) is an artist based in Glasgow. She graduated from ECA Painting in 2002 and RCA Sculpture in 2008. Solo exhibitions include: Astral Flesh 2-Way Stretch, Dolph Projects, London UK (2017); A Mangy Gherkin on a Horse-dung Ground, Limoncello Gallery, London UK (2013); The Pond and the Stream, The Goma, Madrid ES (2012). She has delivered participatory projects for: North Edinburgh Arts; ESW; Airspace Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent; Camden Arts Centre, London.  In 2020 Kate was Artist in Residence with clothing brand Toast in partnership with the Crafts Council. Her work is held in a number of public and private collections including: Crafts Council Collection, UK; MAK-Vienna, AT; Soho House, UK. Owens worked as a retail assistant in Jenners department store from 1996-2000.

Host or Publisher Sierra Metro