'Spectacular' new public art installation commissioned from Scottish Turner Prize winner

Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur, the 2024 Turner Prize winner, will unveil *Superstructure*, a public art installation along Glasgow’s River Clyde on 18 June 2026. The project consists of eight weathervane-like sculptures placed at key sites between Tradeston and the Kingston Bridge, each bearing a word or phrase that spins in the wind, linking the city’s past and future. Kaur’s work, commissioned by Glasgow 2026 Festival, reflects on Glasgow’s history of trade, industry, and empire while encouraging new perspectives on the river as a site of movement and storytelling. The installation extends themes from Kaur’s permanent artwork *Was. Is. Will Be.* in London’s Thamesmead, emphasizing rivers as witnesses to history. Each sculpture’s text shifts direction with the wind, symbolizing the fluidity of Glasgow’s narrative—from industrial dominance to contemporary uses like walking, cycling, and community gatherings. Kaur, originally from Glasgow with ties to Govan, described the project as an invitation to ‘read the city differently,’ framing the Clyde as a conduit for power, possession, and human journeys. Glasgow 2026 Festival, running from 23 May to 9 August 2026, will feature *Superstructure* as a signature commission alongside other cultural events celebrating the city’s creativity. The festival aims to highlight Glasgow’s global artistic influence while addressing its complex relationship with the Commonwealth’s history. Chris Ansell, head of public engagement for Glasgow 2026, called the project a ‘spectacular’ example of how the festival will blend ‘flagship commissions’ with community-driven moments. Born in Glasgow and now based in London, Kaur’s career gained momentum after her Turner Prize win for *Alter Altar*, an exhibition including a car draped in a giant doily. The River Clyde installation marks her return to her hometown, merging personal heritage with broader themes of urban transformation. Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life, praised the artwork for its ability to ‘tie Glasgow, the River Clyde, and the Commonwealth together’ through contemporary art.