Franz Ferdinand Collaborates with Glasgow Print Studio for Limited Edition Art
The band returns to their roots, creating a limited print to support local workshops.
1Returning to Glasgow Roots
Twenty-one years after their formation, the band Franz Ferdinand has returned to the Glasgow Print Studio. This location holds deep significance, as it sits near the Transmission Gallery, a venue central to their early career. The band is launching a limited edition print to celebrate their musical journey and Scottish origins.
2Documenting the Touring Experience
The artwork captures a landmark performance at the historic Olympia Music Hall in Paris. Designed by lighting engineer Dan Williams, the set has traveled globally over the last two years. The band chose to document this specific visual experience as part of the studio’s ongoing Call and Response creative project.
3Technical Artistic Process
French photographer Julien Courbe captured the original stage image, which he developed as a cyanotype in his Paris kitchen. Master Printer Alistair Gow then transformed this into a final print. Bassist Bob Hardy, a 2003 Glasgow School of Art graduate, found the process reminiscent of his early days studying painting and printmaking.
4Community and Artistic Access
The limited run of one hundred prints sold out quickly, with proceeds funding future workshops for aspiring artists. Studio director Claire Forsyth emphasizes that the facility is egalitarian, allowing anyone to access specialist equipment. The project aims to ensure that art remains accessible to the public through free galleries and membership programs.
5Broadcaster and Actor Contributions
The Call and Response project features various public figures beyond the music industry. Broadcaster Kirsty Wark created a print inspired by her aunt’s porcelain painting, while actor Sanjeev Kohli honored his late father. Kohli’s work, titled St Parduman of Glasgow, blends traditional local imagery with personal tributes in English, Gaelic, and Punjabi.
6The Call and Response Concept
Director Claire Forsyth describes the project as a dialogue between participants and the studio. By inviting diverse figures to work with master printmakers, the studio observes unexpected creative responses. This collaborative model encourages participants to explore personal narratives, resulting in unique works that reflect individual histories alongside the studio's technical expertise.
7Future Artistic Collaborations
The initiative continues with upcoming contributions from Alan Cumming, Greg Hemphill, and Julie Wilson Nimmo. Additionally, the Glasgow-based band The Pastels is scheduled to create their own work soon. These ongoing collaborations reinforce the studio's role as a hub for both established creative professionals and the broader local community in Glasgow.
8Lasting Impact of Projects
For Bob Hardy, the experience offered a rare chance to relax after the intensity of global touring. Unlike the fleeting nature of live stadium performances, the print provides a permanent, tangible result. This shift from temporary stage sets to lasting physical art marks a significant new chapter for the band members.