Glasgow Artist Transforms Gallery Space into Fully-Functioning Pub Experience
Young Glasgow artist Trackie McLeod has launched an innovative art exhibition that doubles as a fully-operational pub, challenging traditional gallery norms and creating an accessible community space. The installation, titled Utopia, is currently running at Factory International's Aviva Studios in Manchester through a commission by their Young Curators team.
An Accessible Alternative to Traditional Art Spaces
Trackie McLeod, a 32-year-old artist from Glasgow, has deliberately created an exhibition that rejects what he describes as the art world's tendency toward overly conceptual, complicated presentations with wanky jargon that alienates people. Instead, he has built a custom pub from scratch where visitors can enjoy pints pulled by the artist himself, play darts featuring images of political figures like Margaret Thatcher and Donald Trump, and explore mixed-media artworks spanning print, sculpture, and sound installations.
The space also hosts regular programming including drag performances, DJ sets, and panel discussions, creating what McLeod describes as a sense of togetherness that we're lacking at the moment. A particularly popular feature is a modified fruit machine that dispenses chocolate coins rather than demanding money, which McLeod explains as a comment on how these machines rinse working-class pockets for their own gain.
Roots in Working-Class Community Spaces
McLeod's inspiration comes directly from his upbringing in Glasgow's pub culture. I grew up in places like this, he explains. All our family occasions were there – weddings, birthdays, funerals. It's where all the disputes happened. Spaces that were cheap and cheerful but championed character and comfort.
The exhibition explores broader themes of nostalgia, class identity, and gentrification while serving as an ode to pubs and working men's clubs as vital community hubs. McLeod's nickname, Trackie, originated from his habit as a youth of bringing fresh tracksuits to change into when parties extended into second days.
Artist's Journey and Broader Work
McLeod is currently experiencing a prolific period in his career. Following two successful exhibitions titled Fruit (2024) and Fruit II (2025), he also has Soft Play running at the Charleston in Lewes until mid-April. That installation recreates an outdoor play park to explore the awkward transition from childhood into teenager.
Despite his current success, McLeod's path has been unconventional. He struggled in school, failed art due to dyslexia-related challenges with essays, and accidentally found his way to college studying design before eventually discovering his artistic voice at university. I've been chipping away at this for a long time, he admits. It hasn't been a linear path. There have been lots of ups and downs.
Exploring Identity and Challenging Art World Barriers
McLeod's work frequently examines toxic masculinity and his experiences growing up queer in Glasgow. One notable piece features a framed list of things deemed gay in school, including using gel pens, reading, and crossing legs. It was only putting it out like that that you realise: fucking hell, that was ridiculous, he reflects. The things I would do to change myself to try and fit in at the time.
The artist has consciously remained in Glasgow rather than moving to London, which he views as oversaturated. He operates without gallery representation as part of a DIY art scene and has previously funded exhibitions independently, sometimes sleeping on friends' sofas to make projects happen.
McLeod is vocal about the challenges facing working-class artists, criticizing what he sees as hypocrisy in the art world's diversity initiatives. A lot of these galleries say they are championing underrepresented voices and most of the time they don't, he states. They don't practise what they preach. It's just rich folk with limited life experience, pumping money into rich folk with limited life experience. The art world feeds on nepotism, privilege and the bank of mummy and daddy.
Looking Forward and Creating Space
Despite these challenges, McLeod's independent approach appears to be yielding results. I don't have the answers, but I'm living proof that you can mark out your own path and it is possible, he says. But we need more working-class voices, more queer voices, and more POC voices, because it makes for more interesting art.
The Utopia installation represents both a personal artistic statement and an invitation to community engagement. Visitors to Aviva Studios can experience the pub installation through February 21st, while McLeod's Soft Play exhibition continues at Charleston in Lewes until April 12th.
