The Glasgow School of Art

Without Apparatus
11 to 19 November 2022
Reid Ground Floor Corridor
Mon - Sat, 10:00-16:30
Exhibition Preview and Publication Launch: 10 November 2022, book via Eventbrite.

‘Without Apparatus’ is a project developed in collaboration between artist Jolanta Dolewska and Prof. Johnny Rodger, on the themes of sheriff courts, law, and power relationships in these structures. It is realised in sheriff courts in different locations across Scotland and it originated from an enforced journey Dolewska had to take through the Scottish legal system and led her to think about boundaries, limits, and the law; and how individuals are treated depending on their status, gender, nationality and other descriptors determine their experiences of legal system.

Johnny Rodger was part of a project ‘Spaces of Justice’ which examined how courthouses across Scotland are adapting in their design and use to current day realities in the distribution of justice.

‘Without Apparatus’ investigates themes of law, power and the individuals within the Scottish legal system and the Sheriff Courts. Responding to the great changes that are taking place in the Scottish legal estate, with the closure of many rural and remote courts and a rationalisation towards bigger Justice Centres in main towns and cities. This has clear consequences in terms of democracy and access to justice, within Scottish civil society. The project will examine this situation and seeks to initiate a conversation about these changes through artistic engagement to a broad audience.

The project consists of photographs, objects made of wood and clay and a publication.

Jolanta Dolewska is an artist based in Glasgow. Dolewska graduated with an MA from the Royal College of Art (2012). She has exhibited in the UK, Europe (Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Lithuania, Austria) and Asia (South Korea).

Johnny Rodger is Professor of Urban Literature at GSA. The Spaces of Justice was published by Fairleigh Dickinson Uni Press (USA) in 2018.

With thanks to The Hope Scott Trust, The Richard and Siobhán Coward Foundation, Relief Press, The Glasgow School of Art