Behind the Portrait: Trackie McLeod
Next up in our Behind the Portrait, where we profile people snapped by Simon Murphy, we speak to the up-and-coming artist Trackie Mcleod about his work, growing up in Glasgow and why Scots get his art the most.
Interview by Rhiannon J Davies | Portrait by Simon Murphy
Trackie Mcleod is making waves right now in the contemporary art world. His own experiences of growing up queer and working class in nineties and noughties Glasgow is reflected in his work. Bold colours and reimagined iconography are staples of his mixed-media work. His mixed media work features bold colours and familiar phrases. His Trainwreck billboard last year poked fun at the Tory government with a Trainspotting poster mock-up featuring the cast of recent leaders. In the works are a brand collaboration on a clothing line and a potential exhibition in London. Find him on Instagram @trackiemcleod
Art wasn't something that I really grew up with. Being a full time artist never seemed feasible. Now that I’m able to do that, it’s exciting.
When I first applied to go to Glasgow School of Art, I was unsuccessful. That spurred me on more. I was like ‘I’m coming back next year and I will get in this time’.
Being able to have a finger in lots of different pies, and do a bit of everything is really important. I don’t just do graphic design, I tap into photography, video, sculpture. Not staying in one lane is important to me.
It’s been a slow burner to get where I’m at just now. But now it’s like, ‘just run, just keep going, see what happens’.
I tap into humour quite a lot. And my work is quite Scottish-centric, touching on things like masculinity, class, sexuality. They are important themes in my work.
Read more: Behind the Portrait: Casian Covaciu
My work that takes the piss out of British culture is what people engage with most. Work that’s nostalgic, humorous and rooted in Glasgow.
Translating my work beyond Scottish audiences is something I’m still working out. My work is rooted in my lived experience so I think Scottish people definitely resonate with it more.
I want to be around my people. My plan was to move to London but there’s so much going on in Glasgow and in Scotland that I’m fine here just now. Maybe one day I’ll test the water somewhere else.
Scottish people have carved out their own sense of humour. That’s why Scottish patter videos go viral on TikTok or Instagram. It’s silly and down to earth and what Glasgow’s about.
I did the Trainwreck billboard last year as a way to get my work out there. I worried if I’d done the right thing, but the reaction I got back was amazing. It felt aesthetically on brand for me to do that.
I’m more inspired by celebrity culture, music, and funny stories you hear on the bus than artists. It’s a melting pot of inspiration from the people in places I’m surrounded by rather than any one thing.
It can be quite nerve wracking to put work out there for other queer people to be like ‘I’ve felt like that’. It opens up a conversation.
It’s really important for my work to make a statement. It can be serious or silly, but I want it to be understood. Understood – that’s the word.
I can’t deal with high conceptual art that people feel left out of. I want people to be involved in it in some sort of way.
A lot of my work references the late nineties and early noughties. And a lot of vocabulary is taken from the things my parents used to watch. So I think people my age and older get it.
I always want to make sure art is accessible. So there are always stickers and t-shirts and prints, even when I’m doing bigger work.
Instagram can be horrible at times, but it’s a good platform to share my work. I’ve been lucky to work with some really cool brands. It makes my life easier as I can put some of me into it and it keeps me ticking over.
The advice I’d give to others is to get amongst it. Stick to your guns and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Don’t be scared to ask people. Throw everything at it.
Try and make your own community. I made mine through my chosen family. It’s important to have people around you who will support you as much as you do them.
I’m taking everything as it comes. I’m still making a name for myself. I’m still at the beginning.