Celebrating Ten Years of 21 Revolutions: Revisiting the 21 Revolutions Podcasts

Between 2021 – 2024, Glasgow Women’s Library celebrated Three Decades of Changing Minds. This involved delving into the Glasgow Women’s Library (GWL) archive, using the materials we found to stimulate memories and create space for looking at the present and future: looking back to move forward. 

During our 31st year, we celebrated 10 years since our 21 Revolutions exhibition and publication launched, showcasing the work of 21 writers and 21 artists commissioned to produce exciting new stories, essays and works of art inspired by the GWL collections.

In 2012, to mark Glasgow Women’s Library’s 21st Birthday, the Library commissioned 21 artists and 21 writers to each create new works inspired by our diverse and remarkable collections. Some of the most significant names in Scottish art and literature including Turner Prize nominees and lauded authors responded with new texts and artworks, from Muriel Gray to A.L Kennedy, Claire Barclay to Sam Ainsley.

The project resulted in 41 newly commissioned works, exhibitions, readings, a book and the Library being awarded the Arts & Business Scotland ‘Enterprising Museum of the Year’ Award 2013 for this work.

The writers, including Jackie Kay, A L Kennedy, Denise Mina and Leela Soma, each agreed to read their specially commissioned stories and poems aloud to be made freely available as podcasts. These were originally released in 2012.

To celebrate 10 years since this landmark project, we revisited these podcasts, inviting Level 4 Illustration students from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) in Dundee to create a series of engaging visuals to accompany and illustrate them.

We are delighted to share these beautiful, brilliant and engaging illustrated podcasts here with you. So, pop the kettle on, sit back and enjoy!

Denise Mina reads her work, Ernest Hemingway’s Third Wife and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Kelly Shek, Eve Eisler, Ekaterina Tommie, Lily Shallcross during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Kirsty Logan reads her work, This is Liberty and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Jamie Noon, Shaun Powell and Niamh MacDonald during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Jen Hadfield reads her work, Infestation – A Memoir of pests and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated byEvan O’Hara-Thomas, Demelza Hart and Maiken Walford during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Elizabeth Reeder reads her work, everday wintergreen and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Shannon McQuade, Dulcie Robertson, Nathan Connell, Amy O’Brien during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Heather Middleton discusses her work, Jigsaw of Doom and talks about the inspiration behind the piece. This podcast has been illustrated by Lucy Mennim, Holly Silcock, Joshua Dau during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Helen Fitzgerald reads her short story, Parts Beyond the Skies and talks about the inspiration behind the piece. This podcast has been illustrated by Harry Grove, Henri Kurlbaum, Siena Cameron and Ella Pengelly during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Jackie Kay reads her poems, ‘Undercoat, Model House’, ‘Model House, Glasgow’, and ‘Ingrid McClements’ Papers’ and talks about the inspiration behind the works. This podcast has been illustrated by Lydia Pattison, Jennifer Sheward, Esmé Collins, Anna Howey, Alexis Bowden during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Alison Miller reads her work, An Innocuous Tale of Love and Romance and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by James Mathie during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Anne Donovan reads her 21 Revolutions piece, Lassie wi a Yella Coatie, and talks about her inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Megan Hunter during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Laura Marney reads her story, ‘Mango’, and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Craig Shearon during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Donna Moore reads her work, ‘The Mouse’s Umbrella’ and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Lauren Boyle during her 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Leela Soma reads her story, Boxed In, and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Beth Fuller & Lauren Henderson during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Here, Margaret Elphinstone reads her work, We Thought We Would Change the World, and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Ceidyn Berry & Maddie Talbert during their final year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design

Download the transcript here.

Muriel Gray reads her story, ‘Guidance’, and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Eve Murphy Mariott during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

A L Kennedy reads her 21 Revolutions piece, ‘Stitches’ and talks about her inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Morven Graham during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Vicki Feaver reads her 21 Revolutions piece, ‘Time-Piece’, and talks about her inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Maisie Mackenzie during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Zoe Strachan and Louise Welsh read a joint collaboration, ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’, and they talk about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Ellen Forbes and Giorgos Asvestas during their 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.

Zoe Wicomb reads her work, ‘Writing Lesson’ and talks about the inspiration behind the work. This podcast has been illustrated by Jenny Nutbourne during her 4th year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Download the transcript here.