About this artwork
The census creates statistics – but behind every number is a person. These photographs are from the series The Fish That Never Swam. Kirsty Mackay started the project in 2016 after the Glasgow Centre for Population Health published a report into Scotland’s excess mortality rate. 5,000 more people die prematurely in Scotland per year than the UK average, with Glasgow at the centre of the spike. She started to photograph the people whose experiences tell part of the city’s story, wanting to show some of the reasons for Glasgow’s lower life expectancy – systemic failures of government policy in housing, high unemployment rates and calculated disinvestment – and highlight where action needs to be taken to address this major issue.
Published March 2022
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artist:Kirsty Mackay (born 1970) Scottish
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title:Genavieve asleep in the Scottish Baby Box, Glasgow
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date created:2018; printed 2021
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materials:Inkjet print
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measurements:60.96 x 50.80 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Presented by Art Fund
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accession number:PGP 1031.1
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gallery:
Kirsty Mackay
Kirsty Mackay
Kirsty Mackay (born 1970) is a photographic artist, educator, activist and filmmaker. Her research-led documentary practice highlights social issues surrounding gender, class and discrimination. She has an MA in Documentary photography from University of South Wales, Newport. Her current book...