Over the past few months, we’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Counterflows on a collaboration that brought together artists, musicians and audiences.
Counterflows is Scotland’s longest-running annual festival dedicated to experimental and marginal music. Based in Glasgow, it serves as a platform for challenging, thought-provoking sound art and music that typically exists outside the mainstream industry. Launched in 2012, the festival emphasizes a non-hierarchical, inclusive social space. It is known for its “no headliners” and “no scheduling clashes” policy, encouraging audiences to experience the full breadth of the programme together.
In 2021 Counterflows launched Counterflows on Paper, and their festival zine has become a highlight of the event, and a highlight of our calendar here at Project Ability as well! The Counterflows team approached us 3 years ago about the idea of working together. From then on, each year we’ve had the pleasure of creating artworks that are then used for their zine.
The project began in our Aspire studio, where artists created a series of portrait responses to musicians performing as part of Counterflows 2026. Working from supplied images, each artist brought their own perspective and style to the process.
Seeing the finished works come together was exciting – each portrait offering something completely individual, while collectively capturing the experimental and open spirit of the festival.
A selection of these artworks are included in the 2026 Counterflows Zine. The works were then exhibited at Mono during the festival. As is often the case in Mono, the Counterflows exhibition created a space where visual art and music could sit alongside one another, encouraging new connections and conversations.
We were delighted to be invited to attend the Counterflows zine launch at Adelaide Place! This was a chance for the Project Ability artists to see their work acknowledged and appreciated as part of the wider festival programme, and to be present within that celebratory environment. We thoroughly enjoyed the creative musical perfomance by Ali Roberts. Unique and very funny, we all enjoyed the afternoon!
Ali Roberts performing at Counterflows zine launch, Adelaide Place
This collaboration has been a great example of what can happen when organisations come together with a shared commitment to supporting artists and creating inclusive, ambitious projects. From the studio sessions through to the exhibition and events, it’s been a rewarding journey for everyone involved.
We’d like to say a big big thank you to Counterflows for their openness and collaboration throughout, and to Mono for hosting the exhibition and continually supporting our artists’ work.
We’re really proud of what our artists have achieved through this inspiring project, and grateful to have been part of such a dynamic and thoughtful festival.
Below is an online gallery of images from the Counterflows exhibition reception at Mono,
featured top image courtest of Brian Hartley and Counterflows
