TENEU


Teneu is a new book of commissioned texts featuring the work of nine artists and writers, with specially commissioned contributions by artists Helen Charman, Adrien Howard, Francis Jones, Mason Leaver-Yap, Joey Simons, Joanna Stawnicka, Lisette May Monroe, and Martha Adonai Williams, with illustrations by Sasha Staicu.

This collective project focuses on the mythology of Teneu, also known as St. Enoch, Glasgow's forgotten mediaeval first mother and parent to St. Mungo, the city’s patron saint. St. Enoch is rumoured to be buried under Glasgow city centre's largest shopping centre, a dominating glass pyramid building and the only thing in the city that bears her name. Rosie’s views Teneu as a way of narrating the complexities and heartbeats of the city that, at points, everyone in the collection has called home. The work is a collective response to Teneu and her history. It asks: who gets to be included in the mythologies of the places we live? 

The book extends from an earlier work around Teneu’s mythology, originally presented for Glasgow International Festival in 2021. The work draws attention to the position the city finds itself in during this intense period of cultural interest. The piece uses methods of improvisation and collage to perpetuate a process of collective writing — what develops will be in direct response to the city and the creative community at that time of the festival. The work is narrated and cared for by St Enoch, otherwise known as Teneu, the fabled mother of Glasgow that is also one of its largest Shopping Centres.

Teneu is a collaboration written by Adrien Howard and Lisette May Monroe (both Rosie’s Disobedient Press), with performance and translation by Cass Ezeji.

The sounds on the project were devised and recorded by Sean Patrick Campbell and David Scott. 

The mixing on this project was done by Jen Martin.


Glasgow International festival 
7th - 23rd June 2024 

Supported by JACK ARTS Scotland, part of the BUILDHOLLYWOOD Family.