The arts body Creative Scotland has given an artist £15,000
to spend a year without leaving Glasgow. Ellie Harrison's project is called the
Glasgow Effect - a term relating to poor health in parts of the city. Ellie’s
project is based on the premise that if society wishes to achieve global
change, then individuals have to be more active within their communities at a
local level. In restricting herself to staying within the city boundaries she
is keen to explore what impact this will have her on her life and on her work
as an artist with national and international commitments.
The 36-year-old, who will take a leave of absence from her
job as a lecturer in contemporary art practices at Duncan of Jordanstone
College in Dundee, said the experiment would enable her “to cut her carbon
footprint and increase her sense of belonging, by encouraging her to seek out
and create local opportunities.”
Many, many people haven't left the city in the past year as
a result of financial pressures.
Local resident, Laura Walsh, pointed out that
being forced to stay in the city permanently was simply a fact of life for many
people. “I haven't left Glasgow in nearly four years, living on benefits and
raising a child at the same time can do that to you. There have even been times
I couldn't even afford the bus to travel to the next town,”
Some can't afford the fare to the city-centre.
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