14-07-2025
MSP aims to find out if famous West Lothian artwork can be returned from Tate Modern
Derelict Land Art: Five Sisters and the Five Sisters Bing sculpture was created by John Latham in 1976 were purchased by the Tate Modern Gallery the same year.
Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance is bidding to find out whether an famous West Lothian artwork can be returned from the Tate Modern to a building within the community.
The MSP has written to her colleague Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture seeking advice on how to pursue the return of John Latham's artwork from the Tate Modern Gallery so it can be exhibited at the Scottish Co-op Discovery Centre, a community-led social and economic regeneration project which is transforming a historic West Calder building into a new heritage attraction and community space due to open in 2026.
Derelict Land Art: Five Sisters and the Five Sisters Bing sculpture was created by John Latham in 1976 were purchased by the Tate Modern Gallery the same year.
The Derelict Land Art: Five Sisters consisted of Wood, 14 photographs, 12 black and white gelatine silver prints on paper and 2 colour dye destruction prints, glass jar and shale.
The Five Sisters Bing, also from 1976: was a sculpture of five books spread out onto a flat book to depict the five sisters.
The Five Sisters Bings are preserved under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act, and it was proposed by Geoscientist Barbra Harvie in her 2005 report 'West Lothian Biodiversity Action Plan: Oil Shale Bings' that the area's shale bings are a unique habitat, not found elsewhere in Britain or Western Europe', a vital recreation area and 'a focus of community identity' - sharing both Latham's conceptualisation of the bings and the communities vison for the heritage centre.
Angela explained in her letter: 'It is important for the heritage of the community that the artwork is returned and displayed at the Scottish Co-op Discovery Centre as requested by the local development trust.
'West Lothian has a long and proud tradition of cooperation. It is in this spirit that we request the return of John Latham's artwork to its rightful home in West Calder.
'Latham's conception of the bings and his vision of civic responsibility for the bings' status as artwork is a celebration of co-operative values which shares the heritage centres principles focusing on community identity by preserving the past and creating a future filled with promise, opportunity, and hope.'
Matt Pearce, Project Director for the Scottish Co-operative Discovery Centre, added: 'The display spaces in the new Discovery Centre actually look out over The Five Sisters Bing and it was shale miners who started West Calder Co-operative.
'It just seems right that the artwork finds a permanent home here in our community and where anyone can appreciate it.'
