Call for Papers: Art & Industry

The Scottish Transport and Industrial Collections Knowledge Network (STICK) invites proposals for talks (around 30 minutes long) at our annual conference on Wednesday 21st October 2020, to be hosted and streamed online.

“The Flare Boom” Kate Downey 1988, © the artist, photo credit: Scottish Maritime Museum;

Industry can be the subject of art for a plethora of reasons: to document a process, to advertise or celebrate new manufacturing methods, to agitate for social change, or perhaps to find beauty in less-obvious and more satisfying places. The relationship between the two has been subject to fluctuating fashions but is currently in the public view as artists, museums and galleries seek to use all the methods available to communicate their stories to the public by crossing disciplines to mutual benefit.

We are looking for speakers on this topic that will examine or explain the relationship and intersection between industry and art – you might be an artist, historian, or an interested individual!

We recognise the topic is very broad and would welcome a wide range of submissions. Proposals for papers might include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

  • Using art to bring industrial narratives to new audiences
  • Representations of industry in art
  • The aesthetics of industry
  • How industries use art to portray themselves
  • “Industrialists” as artistic patrons
  • Art as comment on industry’s impact on the environment, health or wellbeing.

The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 24th July 2020. To submit or for any further enquiries please contact Matthew Bellhouse Moran at matthewm@scotmaritime.org.uk