The Glasgow School of Art

Donald Rumsfeld's Thumb: A Lecture by Moira Jeffrey

Thursday, January 25 2018

Reid Auditorium, 1-2pm

Free, but ticketed
Click here to book.

What is the role of the writer in contemporary art? What does a critic do and why does she do it? What tools do you need to write well? And what on earth is wrong with former US Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld’s thumb in his famous portrait by Annie Leibowitz? 

In January 2018, the Reid Gallery becomes a studio for two residency groups focusing on curating. This event is part of Curatorial Studio in Residence, 15 - 26 January 2018. For more information, click here.

Moira Jeffrey is a critical writer with two decades in arts journalism and broadcasting. She edited the publications for the GENERATION project a nationwide contemporary art programme in 2014. She is programme co-ordinator for the Scottish Contemporary Art Network, a member-led network committed to championing and supporting the contemporary art sector in Scotland. SCAN’s vision is that the role, impact and benefits of contemporary visual arts are widely recognised as central to society and that sector professionals based in Scotland are informed, innovative and supported to achieve their ambitions.

This lecture is part of Curatorial Studio in Residence a two week project at the Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art. Curatorial Studio is a unique peer-learning and development programme that supports curators based in Scotland in the early stages of their career. With a national scope and international outlook, the programme encourages participants to reflect critically on their own work and develop new approaches. They work together to test ideas and gain new skills to develop their individual practices and interactions with audiences. 

Curatorial Studio is delivered by Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) with curator Kirsteen Macdonald and is supported by Creative Scotland and The Glasgow School of Art.