GENERATION retrospective of Scottish contemporary art faces criticism for canonical focus

GENERATION is a comprehensive exhibition initiative that showcases 25 years of contemporary art from Scotland, organized by Glasgow Life and the National Galleries of Scotland. Launching during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, it serves as a precursor to Scotland's independence referendum set for September. Spanning 60 venues and featuring over 100 artists, the program has faced criticism for its emphasis on prominent Glasgow artists from the early 1990s, leading to a perceived canonization. Jonathan Jones from The Guardian pointed out the regional bias, remarking that 'all Scotland is Glasgow.' Notable pieces include Douglas Gordon's '24 Hour Psycho' and Ross Sinclair's 'Real Life, Rocky Mountain,' while some works, like Lucy McKenzie's Atelier E.B., offer a departure from this trend, though the exhibition is still seen as favoring established artists over innovative ones.