𝔈𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔚𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔡 𝔊𝔞𝔯𝔡𝔢𝔫 presents a new body of work from Glasgow-based artist Nat Walpole. This exhibition began with her recuperation of the myth of Leda and the Swan. In this reimagining, this story becomes a conduit into an autosymbolist series of paintings, exploring sexuality, shame, cissexual and patriarchal violence, and the construction of womanhood through a transfeminist perspective.

As told, visualized, and repeated throughout history—from ancient Greece to contemporary work—the myth of Leda and the Swan traditionally serves as a patriarchal narrative used to enforce rigid gender norms. Through the deceptive guise of Zeus as a swan, he assaults Leda, highlighting themes of deception, power, and patriarchal violence. Walpole’s work critically engages with this myth, reflecting on its implications for gender and sexuality.

In this space, the myth is not merely a relic of the past but a living narrative that engages with contemporary issues of gender, power, and identity. Walpole’s paintings reimagine Leda and the Swan as a singular, transcendent entity —’Leda the Swan’—challenging the viewer to reconsider the roles imposed by society serving as a symbol against the oppressive constructions of normative womanhood and the violence that often accompanies the many facets of it. The work challenges us to see beyond the surface, to recognize the interplay of agencies within her scenes, and to confront the cultural forces that shape our understanding of gender and power.

In addition to the paintings, a space for knowledge exchange and reflection is offered. This intimate area features a shelf of carefully selected books and materials pertinent to the discussions surrounding contemporary issues experienced by trans people, underscoring the importance of learning, leading with curiosity, and fostering dialogue.