The Gallow Gate is an international, public programme curated by Natalia Palombo at Many Studios and provides a platform for the development, presentation, and discussion of contemporary visual art and culture.

Since opening in March 2016, The Gallow Gate has experimented with methodology by introducing play and participation in the programme to address access, challenge perceptions of contemporary and visual art, and to reflect on expectations of artists to produce ‘final/completed work’.

The Gallow Gate programme was formed as a platform for artists who are not as visible in Scotland and often the UK, addressing gaps in representation. We’ve played with ideas and perceptions of visual art practice largely through collaboration. The programme has invited collectives to present new work and artists to collaborate for the first time in cross-disciplinary projects with live and participatory elements, inviting audiences into the process of making rather than focusing on conventional presentation of contemporary art. Artists have been invited to use our resources to produce work that they want to realise, with no expectations for final presentation, but with an invitation to engage audiences in the process.

Since 2016, we have worked with over 50 artists from Scotland, England, South Africa, Nigeria, Canada, French Guyana, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Ghana, Morocco; commissioned a film by London-based artist Larry Achiampong; commissioned and edited a publication with Ndidi Dike with writing from Raisa Kabir, for Glasgow International; and curated an exhibition with artists Athi-Patra Ruga and Ayọ̀ Akínwándé for the official programme of the 13th Havana Biennial.


Many Studios is a creative hub in the east end of Glasgow, providing workspace to over 70 creative practitioners, and hosting an arts programme at The Gallow Gate, meeting and event spaces and emerging creative businesses.