Skypark is the venue for Women@COP26 exhibition, a series of photographs by Kris Kesiak that frames a female vision on climate and gender issues.

This legacy project for women and girls, spearheaded by Glasgow’s Education Services in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and Women of the World Foundation, was created in 2021 where 2,500 young women from Glasgow’s Secondary Schools came together at “#GirlsAtCOP26 – The Solutions are Feminist” at the Glasgow Caledonian University. A panel of experts including former Irish President Dr Mary Robinson, joined the girls to discuss the global issues around UN Sustainable Goal 5, alongside health, environment and gender as well as other challenges that can affect women and girls’ bodies.

A year on, Women at COP26 Exhibition, curated by Claire Stewart, photography lecturer at City of Glasgow College, features women from across the globe who joined the school girls, in discussing taking collective action to address the climate emergency from a female perspective.

Andrea Reid, Glasgow City Council, Education Services said: “Glasgow has led the way with Learning for Sustainability (LfS), employing since 2018 a dedicated officer to support LfS learning and teaching. Our schools’ #OurDearGreenPlace work on #GirlsAtCOP26 focused on the action being taken by women and girls globally, which can too often be overlooked. The ongoing legacy from this work continues.”

Glasgow-based photographer Kris Kesiak who documented the events said: “Photographing strong women is something I have been drawn to since I first started taking photographs as a child. In those early years, my sister and grandmother – both formidable women – were often the subjects of my pictures. In my career, I have been lucky enough to work with a wide range of female artists, musicians, writers and models.

“Getting the opportunity to meet, listen to, and photograph such a diverse range of women was a privilege. All were truly inspiring and formidable. I am thrilled to exhibit at Skypark and extend the exhibition to a new audience in documenting the role women are playing in Glasgow and beyond”.

Skypark’s strategic lettings advisor Angela Higgins of Resonance Capital said: “It’s an honour to have Women@COP26 Exhibition adorn the walls of our donated gallery. One of the most sought after photographers in Scotland, Kris Kesiak’s portraits perfectly frame the voices of women to inspire the next generation of girls.”

Women@COP26 exhibition is FREE and open to the public Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.