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Rachel Ashenden

@rachelashenden.bsky.social
42 followers 20 following 5 posts

Thinking and writing about art 🛸 Art Editor at The Skinny 🗞️ open to pitches, esp. DIY exhibitions in Scotland. (she/they)

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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
In the 200th anniversary of the Royal Scottish Academy, @royalscottishacad.bsky.social graduates explore a range of sociopolitical issues, from disability representation to technological dominance www.theskinny.co.uk/art/features... [Article: @rachelashenden.bsky.social]
theskinny.co.uk
Turbulent Times: RSA New Contemporaries 2026 preview - The Skinny
In the 200th anniversary of the Royal Scottish Academy, Scotland's most-promising art school graduates explore a range of sociopolitical issues, from disability representation to technological…
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
At Jupiter Artland, Tai Shani's sculpture of a blue giant rests in a glass coffin. In this month's Gut Feelings, our Art editor @rachelashenden.bsky.social wonders what the hell it's doing there www.theskinny.co.uk/art/features... @taishani.bsky.social
theskinny.co.uk
Gut Feelings: Tai Shani's The Spell – The Skinny
At Jupiter Artland, Tai Shani's sculpture of a blue giant rests in a glass coffin. In this creative response, our Art editor wonders what the hell it's doing there.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
"The lesbian scene was a village." @rachelashenden.bsky.social gathers recollections of Fire Island, Scotland’s first regular gay club, charting police raids, leaky ceilings and love to the soundtrack of disco 🔥
theskinny.co.uk
Thank You for the Music: Queer Elders’ Memories of Fire Island – The Skinny
A dance through time – one writer gathers recollections of Fire Island, Scotland’s first regular gay club, charting police raids, leaky ceilings and love to the soundtrack of disco.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
In @sarvathasin.bsky.social's beautiful friendship break-up book Strange Girls, the intimacies, co-dependencies, and queernesses of female friendship prompt a crisis www.theskinny.co.uk/books/featur... [interview by @rachelashenden.bsky.social]
theskinny.co.uk
Sarvat Hasin on queer friendship novel Strange Girls - The Skinny
In Sarvat Hasin's beautiful friendship break-up book Strange Girls, the intimacies, co-dependencies, and queernesses of female friendship prompt a crisis.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
A Turner Prize winning artist comes to a @dcadundee.bsky.social this month – for recs on art events at @womenslibrary.bsky.social, @fruitmarket.bsky.social and more in February, check out @rachelashenden.bsky.social's round-up!
theskinny.co.uk
Scottish Art Highlights: February 2026 - The Skinny
Turner Prize winner Nnena Kalu participates in a Dundee exhibition challenging ableism in the arts, while land artist Ilana Halperin explores geological phenomena at Fruitmarket.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
Jamie Dunn @jamiedunnesq.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Some heartbreaking news coming out of Glasgow. The CCA has gone into liquidation and will close with immediate effect. Full story here www.theskinny.co.uk/art/news/gla...
theskinny.co.uk
Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts to close: The Skinny
Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts goes into liquidation and closes today following several years of managerial and financial turmoil.
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The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Murals are a community artform, and Glasgow’s muralled streets are always evolving, reflecting and channeling the needs of the community, writes @rachelashenden.bsky.social – that's why the 'AI mural' struck such a nerve www.theskinny.co.uk/art/features...
An illustration of a man in a brown apron, arms outstretched, in front of a three-bladed wind turbine. An American Eagle, two cows, a stag and several stone buildings are also visible. A steam train obscured the bottom half of the man's body, but also fades into nothingness next to the turbine.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
"When I danced, I always felt like I was embodying my culture" Inspired by an exhibition on Marina Abramović’s first performance in Scotland, @rachelashenden.bsky.social interviews five artists on the enduring appeal of the experimental medium
theskinny.co.uk
After Shock: 5 artists shaping performance art in Scotland – The Skinny
Inspired by an exhibition on Marina Abramović’s first performance in Scotland, we interview five artists about the enduring appeal of the experimental medium.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
December brings Armenian filmmaker Alex Sarkisian to @timespanhelmsdale.bsky.social, and it's not too late to see @shenxin.info's Highland Embassy at @collective-edin.bsky.social All this and more in @rachelashenden.bsky.social's round-up!
theskinny.co.uk
Scottish Art Highlights: December 2025
December offers Afrofuturist photography, a meditative film about land dispossession and a survey of Scottish portraiture.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Alasdair Gray Archive @agrayarchive.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
✨ Don’t miss The City at AGA — curated by Holly-Rennie Brown and reviewed by Evie Glen in this month’s The Skinny. A vivid exploration of queer and working-class histories, community, and care in urban life. Open Wed–Fri, 10–5pm — one week left!
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Rachel Ashenden @rachelashenden.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Me catching these free exhibitions in London: • Tai Shani, Cardinal @ Gathering • Erotic Surrealism @ Richard Saltoun • The Medium is the Message @ The College of Psychic Studies • The Word for World @ AA Gallery
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Rachel Ashenden @rachelashenden.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
New column coming to @theskinnymag.bsky.social soon 🥵 (pitches encouraged)
Gut Feelings is a 300-400-word monthly column that encourages writers/artists to tell personal stories through art and explore emotive responses to an exhibition or even a single artwork. Rooted in personal discovery, these miniature essays connect to social issues and seek to counteract the stuffiness associated with art criticism. Gut Feelings might explore how art has helped us to reach a life decision, process a sticky emotion, or realise something about ourselves that was lying dormant.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
Making your mark in Scotland's visual art scene can feel like a daunting task, but we're here to show you the ropes – @rachelashenden.bsky.social offers some advice on getting started...
theskinny.co.uk
Getting started in Scotland's art scene – The Skinny
Gatekeepers stand aside. Making your mark in Scotland's visual art scene can feel like a daunting task, but we're here to show you the ropes.
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Rachel Ashenden @rachelashenden.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Keen to make new connections with visual art journalists/critics in Scotland ❤️‍🔥 At @theskinnymag.bsky.social, I'm especially interested in hearing about DIY exhibitions/art events, particularly if they explore social issues. (Or just juicey art gossip, I'm here for it all) rachel(at)theskinny.co.uk
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
At @edinburghprints.bsky.social, Aqsa Arif subverts the famous Sony Bravia 'Paint' advert that was filmed in her childhood council flat. @rachelashenden.bsky.social considers the necessity for creative expression in the face of growing threats to social housing
theskinny.co.uk
Portrait of an Erased Estate: Aqsa Arif at Edinburgh Art Festival - The Skinny
In her new show at Edinburgh Art Festival, Aqsa Arif subverts the famous Sony Bravia 'Paint' advert that was filmed in her childhood council flat in Glasgow.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
As we edge closer to August (AKA Edinburgh Art Festival), a flurry of exhibitions open across @fruitmarket.bsky.social, @hunterianglasgow.bsky.social and more Read @rachelashenden.bsky.social's column below 👀
theskinny.co.uk
Scottish Art Highlights: July 2025 – The Skinny
As we edge closer to August (AKA Edinburgh Art Festival), a flurry of exhibitions open across the capital.
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Rachel Ashenden @rachelashenden.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Hi pals 👋 thought it was about time I introduced myself to connect with fellow writers. I'm a freelance arts writer/editor in Edinburgh, passionate about feminist and queer creative expression. Currently researching and writing about class as a growing barrier to visual arts #writing #writers #art
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Rachel Ashenden @rachelashenden.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
I had such a blast hosting an Art Writing workshop for @portybooks.bsky.social. The creative exercises were inspired by the likes of @thewhitepube.bsky.social, bell hooks, and Ali Smith. By using the first person, the participants connected art interpretation to memory and experience. 🪷
Group of people listening to one speaker in a workshop setting.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Art is all around us – but if you want help narrowing down the search area, here's March's exhibition highlights, from @rachelashenden.bsky.social
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Scottish Art Highlights: March 2025 – The Skinny
A pair of major survey exhibitions spotlight dozens of emerging artists this March, plus shows from Steve McQueen, Walker & Bromwich and Jude Browning.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Swedish artist and filmmaker Petra Bauer’s film is a powerful look at the day-to-day work of Southall Black Sisters – showing at @fruitmarket.bsky.social until 23 Mar
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Petra Bauer: Sisters! @ Fruitmarket: art review - The Skinny
Swedish artist and filmmaker Petra Bauer’s film is a powerful look at the day-to-day work of Southall Black Sisters.
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Reposted by Rachel Ashenden
The Skinny @theskinnymag.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
"Her work is there for you to engage with and respond to" Curator Pelumi Odubanjo tells @rachelashenden.bsky.social how she’s reimagining Maud Sulter’s legacy through a participatory events programme at @GlasgowTramway
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Maud Sulter and The Living Archive of Diaspora – The Skinny
Curator Pelumi Odubanjo tells us how she’s reimagining Sulter’s legacy through a participatory events programme at Tramway.
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