Overview
Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) is known to be one of the busiest and most recognized art centres of Scotland and is located at the very heart of the city center of Glasgow. It is located in a beautiful neoclassical building on the Royal Exchange Square and contains the collection of contemporary art which is implemented in all its diversity including local and foreign artists. The gallery is a flexible handle on the culture of its visitors providing diversity of forms ranging from paintings via sculpture to installations, video works and photographs.
History
Despite being launched in 1996, GoMA has opened itself for the public for the first time in its history back in 1812, which is impressive by itself. Dale Street Construction Company first built this building in 1778 for a rich tobacco merchant as his residence. It has been utilized for many purposes over the years, including a library and Royal Exchange. It is now a magnificent emblem of the artistic nature of Glasgow complemented by a most unusual picture of the Duke of Wellington with a cone on his head so common to the monarchical who stands outside the building.
Exhibitions
As the exhibition space at GoMA is often changing, the visitors can get new impressions of modern and contemporary art. The themes tackled by the gallery include social justice, identity, environmental issues, which make the audience engage with jarring, stunning, or spectacular manifestations. GoMA presents both well-known and up-and-coming artists from all over the world and many exhibitions also highlight the rich and diverse culture of the city of Glasgow.
Permanent Collection
The permanent collection of the gallery includes works by several major modern artists. It cuts across a number of different media which engage movements and trends that have characterized contemporary art in the past several decades. With works from scottish artists as well as international artists, GoMA helps to provoke thoughts about the current issues of the society, in respect to arts.
Educational Programs and Workshops
GoMA believes that everyone has the right to be engaged with art and hence a wide range of educational programs are provided for all ages. The gallery offers workshops, artist talks and outreach activities to the public so as to enhance understanding and appreciation of contemporary art. Apart from that, visitors may take guided tours in which specialists explain the themes, techniques, and developments of the materials on display.
Facilities and Services
The Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow is a delighted place with many facilities. There is a gift shop filled with gifts, books and souvenirs, all related to the art on display. There is also a small cafe for visitors to rest and gather their thoughts after looking at the exhibitions. The gallery is completely wheelchair friendly and more importantly barrier free.
Location and Hours
Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) is located in Royal Exchange Square in the center of Glasgow and can be reached without difficulty by all means of public transport including several bus and train stations nearby. The gallery is open every day with free admission and looking forward to practical activity from the public in order to demystify the nature of modern and contemporary art.
Whether an art enthusiast or a mere visitor, t he readers visiting Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art would find something new, fresh and impressive that is the best of the contemporary culture.
