This co-edited publication by Panel and Helena Britt was produced to accompany the exhibition 'Instant Whip: The Textiles and Papers of Fraser Taylor 1977-1987 Revisited', Reid Gallery, and Window on Heritage, The Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, 16 March to 20 April 2024. The publication explored and expanded on themes connected to the exhibition and included an editorial by Panel and an introductory text by Britt, which provided insight into Fraser Taylor's collection within GSA's Archives and Collections, how Taylor's creative practice has evolved and returns to previous work to inform new ideas and collaborations. The publication featured a series of invited texts by Theresa Coburn, Laura Guy, Graham Lister, Mairi MacKenzie and Iain R Webb, with contributions from Gillion Carrara, Robert Hodgens (The Bluebells), Gerry Kelly and Morag Ross.
'Each [text] is a unique reflection on formative moments in Fraser's career, offering personal references to the culture of dressing up and going out, music, identity and image-making, set against the socio-political backdrop of late 1970s and '80s Britain – with an exacting focus on Glasgow.' (Panel 2024).
Texts by Coburn, Guy, Lister, MacKenzie and Webb, '…provide a distinct set of perspectives that broadly consider the influence of artists and designers on shaping culture. They discuss the act of looking, the role of fashion in queer practices and codification and the craft of styling and promotion in all its forms, as made visible in fashion show documentation, magazine design, record covers, shampoo bottles, shop windows and nightclubs.' (Panel 2024). Contributions by Carrara, Hodgens, Kelly and Ross highlight connections between Glasgow, London and Chicago. The publication includes images from GSA's Archives and Collections, private collections and of Taylor's new work made in response to revisiting his archive, a playlist by Taylor (and QR code link to Spotify) and an advert for new textile products by Taylor produced for the V&A Dundee to coincide with the Instant Whip exhibition.
Graphical House has designed the publication. It is available to purchase from Panel's website and the V&A Dundee.
