So Young fave, artist Trackie McLeod has been on an incredible rise over the last few years. Having recently collaborated on a t-shirt with the Glasgow artist, we thought we should check in and find out a little more about Trackie’s life, works and future.
I was originally drawn in by the way you repurpose nostalgia within your work with a new angle and message. Is accessibility within your work important? Presenting an important message via graphics and symbols that are familiar to everyone.
Yeah I definitely lean on popular culture references, either text or imagery to create a familiarity and accessibility. Fucking hate wanky overly conceptual art, normally done by the people who say ‘art is for everyone’.
Being a working class artist who tackles elitism within art. What do you think about the current state of the art world?
Rich folk with limited life experience pumping money into rich folk with limited life experience. Makes for boring art in elitist galleries. We need more POC, working class and queer representation in galleries, arts councils and teaching in schools. Until then we are standing still.
What’s the story behind the name, Trackie?
Originates from a bender in 2014, I think the joke was because I bought a spare tracksuit with me to the afters because I knew I was out the for long haul, but who knows at this point.
What are you currently working on?
A couple of collaborations, one being Irn Bru which is pretty iconic. My next solo show will be at the end of the year in Glasgow and London.
Do you remember when you were first exposed to Art, in a way that resonated with you?
I think I must have been about 16, an ex student had come in to our art class to do a talk and introduced me to Keith Haring. Until this, I’d used art class as a total piss take so to have this ex student, who looked and sounded like me come in and talk about art in a way that wasn’t dull or historic was maybe a bit of a turning point. I went home straight after and Asked Jeeves (Gen Z’s this was google back in the day) about Keith Haring, who’s went on to be one of many of my queer inspirations.
What’s your main inspiration?
People, places and patter.
How did growing up in Glasgow affect your work and career?
Growing up there, aye the backdrop was cold, grey and it was sometimes as hard as its exterior but underneath all that it’s got heart of gold. It’s shaped me to have resilience and a thick skin which has made me a more determined person and artist. It’s rich history, culture and humour has also given me a bank of inspiration and made for a Scottish centric point of view that is sometimes left out of the British art world.
Where do you see your work going? Is fashion a world you want to continue to work in?
I want it to live across all worlds and mediums. I’m jealous of those marketable people who just paint and sell their work, but my lane is non linear, so I’m unsure where it’s going but as long as it’s going somewhere.
Could you tell us a little bit about the design we’ve used for our collaboration t-shirt?
It’s a mono print from 2019 which reads ‘LONDON NEWYORK GLASGOW.’ The slogan normally reads something like ‘LONDON PARIS NEW YORK’ those being the cosmopolitan hotspots, but Glasgow is the center of my universe. I guess these are also places I want to conquer. Plus the little chef is a nod to all those 90’s motorway pit stops for cold chips.
I hate this question but I’m asking you because there’s a chance it could include Mr Blobby. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Dead or alive.
I totally get why you think Blobby would be on the lineup, though an icon, I don’t think he’d have much to say for himself. So I’d have to say Pete Burns, Andy Warhol, Joey Essex.
What can we expect to see from you in the near future?
More tomfoolery of course.
Keep your eyes peeled for Trackie’s second solo show…
Header photo by Luca Pellegrino
So Young is a new music magazine and our new issue is out now. Buy in print here. Subscribe here. Read the digital edition below.
