Inside Glasgow School of Art’s 2026 Degree Show: Showcasing the Next Generation of Creative Talent

Standing out in a degree show featuring work from 159 artists spread across six floors is no easy task. For this year’s fine art graduates at Glasgow School of Art, the challenge is not only to capture attention but to hold it long enough to create meaningful connections with audiences.

Across the exhibition, many artists appear to embrace three distinct approaches to engaging visitors: surprise, uncertainty, and comfort. Whether through provocative installations, concept-driven works, or inviting spaces designed for reflection, each method presents both opportunities and risks.

When used without substance, shock can feel like empty provocation, confusion can become inaccessible conceptual language, and comfort can drift into familiarity that leaves little lasting impression. Yet the strongest works in the exhibition demonstrate how these reactions can be transformed into something more powerful — curiosity, empathy, reflection, or emotional resonance.

What becomes clear throughout the show is that emotional connection matters. In a cultural climate where arts funding continues to face pressure, particularly in Glasgow, artists are increasingly challenged to justify not only the value of their work but also its relevance to wider audiences.

The most memorable pieces are not necessarily the loudest or most technically complex. Instead, they are often the works that successfully turn an initial emotional response into a deeper conversation about identity, society, memory, or place.