Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art and The Common Guild have made the final purchases after being awarded up to £1 million through Art Fund International, the Art Fund’s scheme which has assisted five museums to grow their collections of International Contemporary art over the past five years. A range of major works by some of the most celebrated contemporary artists from around the world has been added to Glasgow’s Collection during the project.

Photographs, films, performance and installation works by artists from Germany, North America, Ireland and Slovakia are among the final purchases. They include an important recent film called ‘Continuity’ by the Israeli-born, Berlin-based artist Omer Fast. The work was a highlight of the critically acclaimed dOCUMENTA 13 exhibition in Germany in 2012.

Other purchases include a performance by Slovakian artist Roman Ondák, a watercolour painting by American artist Spencer Finch and an installation, combining theories of Conceptual Art with the myth of the Loch Ness monster, by Irish artist Gerard Byrne.

Glasgow’s final purchase through Art Fund International is a substantial and unique collection of 15 photographs by the Turner Prize-winning artist Wolfgang Tillmans. A number of new displays at GoMA are being planned for these works to begin in October 2013.

Councillor Archie Graham, Chair of Glasgow Life said: “These exciting purchases mark the end of what has been a hugely successful and beneficial 5 year project for the City of Glasgow’s Contemporary Art collections. The partnership between GoMA and the Common Guild ensured that works by artists based outside the UK were bought to provide essential context for works in the collection by artists associated with Glasgow.”

Katrina Brown, Director of The Common Guild said: “The Art Fund International scheme has truly been a once in a lifetime opportunity for Glasgow to develop its contemporary holdings and it has been the most exhilarating and exacting challenge over the last five years to do so in a way that was appropriate to the existent collection and the local context. The works that have been acquired are an enormous addition to what Glasgow has to offer to both residents and visitors alike, and we are hugely indebted to the Art Fund for the generosity and vision that made it possible.”

Stephen Deuchar, Director of the Art Fund said: “Art Fund International has provided five UK galleries with a rare opportunity to build up new collections of international contemporary art.  Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art has taken on the challenge with great vision and enthusiasm to transform their existing holdings with several exceptional new acquisitions. They will be much enjoyed by Glasgow’s public and visitors”

For the full press release please open AFI-GoMA-1