exhibition: glasgow 1978

by jos treen

july 2021 - november 2021

 

Jos Treen’s photographs capture the resilience and humour of Glaswegians in 1978 – a time when Glasgow had a huge poverty problem and the city was filled with appalling housing. Treen’s collection of over 100 photos document his year walking the streets of Glasgow with his Olympus OM-1. The Glasgow skyline has changed a lot since then and in many cases we are now left only with the memories of low factories, tall chimneys, higher flats, the skeletons of vanished streets and demolished tenements.

All photographs copyright Jos Treen. Images available for purchase. Contact heritage@mbht.org.uk for more information.

Shops on Maryhill RoadPeople walking down the street filled with shops. Two of the people are dressed in suits and appear to be glancing into shop windows selling meat, poultry and other groceries.

Shops on Maryhill Road

People walking down the street filled with shops. Two of the people are dressed in suits and appear to be glancing into shop windows selling meat, poultry and other groceries.

The Kelvin DockTwo people having an animated conversation outside of the Kelvin Dock Pub on Maryhill Road.

The Kelvin Dock

Two people having an animated conversation outside of the Kelvin Dock Pub on Maryhill Road.

Job Centre, Maryhill RoadThis black and white photographs captures people standing queuing outside of the job centre. They may be waiting to sign on to collect their benefits. Two cars are parked by the pavement in the foreground of the image.

Job Centre, Maryhill Road

This black and white photographs captures people standing queuing outside of the job centre. They may be waiting to sign on to collect their benefits. Two cars are parked by the pavement in the foreground of the image.

The Kelvin DockA black and white photograph of two people captured having an animated conversation by the corner of the The Kelvin Doc pub.

The Kelvin Dock

A black and white photograph of two people captured having an animated conversation by the corner of the The Kelvin Doc pub.

Old Flint Mill on the KelvinThis photograph captures two people captured holding hands walking along the Kelvin Walkway. In the background is Kelvinbridge Parish Church.

Old Flint Mill on the Kelvin

This photograph captures two people captured holding hands walking along the Kelvin Walkway. In the background is Kelvinbridge Parish Church.

“‘I went out to record the lives and the environment of the people I lived with in Glasgow. I shopped at the same shops, signed on at the same Job Centre, visited the same pubs.’ ”
— Jos Treen
Colina StreetBlack and white image of two people walking up a hill towards a highrise building. A large hill is present in the foreground of this image.

Colina Street

Black and white image of two people walking up a hill towards a highrise building. A large hill is present in the foreground of this image.

Canal LocksThis image captures the movement of the water as it crashes over the canal locks at Maryhill. A garage, vehicles and houses can be found in the background.

Canal Locks

This image captures the movement of the water as it crashes over the canal locks at Maryhill. A garage, vehicles and houses can be found in the background.

“‘I didn’t go out specifically to record the appalling housing and poverty, that was a backdrop to their resilience and humour.’”
— Jos Treen

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust would like to extend a special thanks to Jos Treen for allowing us to show his beautiful photographs.

We hope you enjoyed looking through them and that you can come see the live exhibition. The halls reopened its doors on Monday 12th July 2021 and is open to the public Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm. Tickets are free, but booking is essential. Call us on 0141 948 0700 or email us at info@mbht.org.uk to book. Additionally, we would love to hear your memories of 1970s Glasgow and the Glasgow Photo Journey 1978 exhibition.