Michelle Williams Gamaker
'Strange Evidence' at Offline
Following its London premiere at Matt’s Gallery in March and a subsequent tour to the MAC Belfast, we are delighted to announce that Michelle Williams Gamaker’s Strange Evidence will have its Scottish premiere at Offline as part of the Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Art, 5 - 21 June 2026.
Strange Evidence is a genre bending Body Horror/Film Noir, focusing on 1930s British/Hollywood screen star Merle Oberon, who kept her mixed Sri Lankan, Indian and British heritage secret to protect her industry status. As a contracted star for Alexander Korda’s London Films, Merle was the so-called resident “exotic” playing stereotypical roles. To transition to leading roles, Merle falsified her past claiming that she was born in Tasmania to white parents. Behind the scenes, Merle maintained strict control of her image; relying on make-up, lighting, dermabrasion and skin-bleaching procedures.
Alternating between colour and black and white worlds, Williams Gamaker revisits the cosmetic procedures Merle underwent to maintain this illusion, and speculatively offers the star psychoanalysis to unpack her self-censorship (what the artist calls Fictional Healing). The project sensitively explores racial stigma, trauma and complex decisions shaped by prejudice and restrictive labour conditions, still impacting performers today.
Strange Evidence (2026) forms the first part of Williams Gamaker's new phase in Fictional Healing, following her series in Fictional Activism and Fictional Revenge. It also completes her Critical Affection trilogy (2021–2026), including The Bang Straws (2021) and Thieves (2023).
Strange Evidence was commissioned and produced by Matt’s Gallery, London and Offline, Glasgow.
Supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a Donor Advised Fund, held at The Prism Charitable Trust; the Bukhman Foundation; the National Lottery through Creative Scotland; and Arts Council England. Additional support from The British Academy; Kingston University; Goldsmiths, University of London; The Bryan Robertson Trust; Consulting Producer Priya Palak and Associate Producers John Cavanagh, Samm Haillay and Michelle Williams Gamaker.
Opening event: Friday 5 June, 6-8 pm
Opening hours: 11am - 6pm
Offline
138 Niddrie Road
Glasgow
G41 2AB