March-April 2024 The Salon Show, organized by the GSA Gallery Society, stands as the largest exhibition ever curated by the society, featuring a diverse range of over 100 artists. Ellis Bairstow, in his capacity as the founder and a key curator of the society, led a team of seven individuals to bring this ambitious project to life. Working alongside gallery curator Dr. James Hutchinson, Ellis played a central role in conceptualizing and executing the show.
The show was driven by a critical question: What gives students the power to accept or reject the work of their peers? In response to this, the curatorial team decided to adopt an inclusive approach, accepting every single submission as long as it adhered to broad logistical rules designed to manage space constraints. This open-minded philosophy allowed the exhibition to encompass a wide range of work from students, teaching staff, and operations staff at the Glasgow School of Art.
The Salon Show ended up being a monumental achievement, presenting the largest collection of GSA works assembled outside of the annual degree show. Through this project, Ellis was able to explore the intersection of curation, collaboration, and inclusivity.