Glasgow's Street Murals

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Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   Text © Copyright June 2017, Thomas Nugent; licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Licence.
Images also under a similar Creative Commons Licence.


Introduction

Glasgow has long been associated with formal murals, such as the Springburn locomotive, which brightened up otherwise dull and obtrusive gable ends on tenements or other large buildings in the city.

The 21st Century has seen an explosion of formally commissioned 'graffiti style' murals by spray paint artists. Many of these were commissioned in the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and have sporting themes. Some have clear local themes, whilst others are a bit more abstract. Most are to be found on gable ends, but there are a few to be found on park walls, bridge supports, alleyways and underpasses too. A separate geograph article exists for underpass artworks around the UK Link .

The clarity of detail achieved in these murals is astonishing, some are almost photographic in detail.

Disclaimer: Some of the murals are temporary by design (such as shop-front hoardings) and might have been removed since the photos shown here were taken. Where known, this is mentioned in the relevant section. Some of the murals shown are not publicly accessible (for example by railway lines) and some are not strictly speaking 'street' murals as they are located indoors at railway stations etc.

The Works

The works are listed in no particular order.

City Halls - Glasgow Nature

This is a large mural on the north side of the City Halls, overlooking the car park on Ingram Street. Created by Australian artist Sam Bates, who is better known as 'Smug'.
NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent
These wildlife scenes by artist Sam Bates on the gable wall of the City Halls were commissioned by the city council (with support from NCP) to represent some of the animals which live in and around the city's many fine parks.

It will be illuminated in the near future to brighten up the Ingram Street NCP car park it overlooks.


NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Albion Street by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Albion Street by Thomas Nugent
NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : City Halls graffiti style mural by Thomas Nugent

Here is Link to more geograph photos of the mural.

Wilson Street - Badminton

This mural is on a gable end on Wilson Street at Candleriggs. It was created by Australian artist Guido Van Helten for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
NS5965 : Glasgow Commonwealth Games Badminton Mural by Thomas Nugent
Recently painted in preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games which will be held in Glasgow. On Wilson Street, one of several sports-themed murals currently appearing throughout the city.

By Guido Van Helten


NS5965 : Glasgow Commonwealth Games Badminton Mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Glasgow Commonwealth Games Badminton Mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Glasgow Commonwealth Games Badminton Mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Glasgow Commonwealth Games Badminton Mural by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Wilson Street by DS Pugh

Mitchell Street - Girl


NS5865 : Smug mural by Thomas Nugent
By Australian artist Sam Bates, who is better known as 'Smug'


NS5865 : Giant mural on Mitchell Street by Thomas Nugent NS5865 : Mitchell Street by Thomas Nugent NS5865 : Mitchell Street graffiti style murals by Thomas Nugent

Mitchell Street - Taxi

By the artist known as Rogue One.
NS5865 : Mitchell Street public art (taxi) by Thomas Nugent
A strikingly realistic looking man hails a black taxi which is floating above the ground thanks to several balloons. Note that the "bricks" behind the taxi are painted on to a plastered wall.

On Mitchell Lane at Argyle Street, near the larger mural by "Smug". The same wall can be seen in its unpainted form on the left in this photo NS5865 : Smug mural.
by Thomas Nugent


NS5865 : Mitchell Street public art (taxi) by Thomas Nugent NS5865 : Taxi mural on Mitchell Street by Thomas Nugent

Gordon Lane - Giant Panda

This is a narrow lane off Mitchell Lane which runs between Buchanan Street and Mitchell Street, leading to The Lighthouse. The giant panda mural there is by Glasgow artist James Klinge, who was formerly known as 'Klingatron'. Unfortunately this mural is often obscured by commercial sized wheely bins but is worth making the short detour from Buchanan Street to see.

NS5865 : Gordon Lane giant panda by Thomas Nugent
Looking for bamboo shoots at the corner of Mitchel Lane. This is the rear of the former BOAC building NS5865 : Former BOAC Building on Buchanan Street.

By Glasgow artist Klingatron (2017 update: Klingatron is now using his own name "James Klinge"). Facebook LinkExternal link .

See also NS5865 : Gordon Lane giant panda.
by Thomas Nugent


NS5865 : Gordon Lane giant panda by Thomas Nugent
Rumaging amongst the bins, looking for bamboo shoots.

By Glasgow artist Klingatron (2017 update: Klingatron is now using his own name "James Klinge"). Facebook LinkExternal link .

See the same scene without the bin NS5865 : Gordon Lane giant panda.
by Thomas Nugent



Customhouse Quay - Tiger Lucky 8

This bright and eye-catching work by has been superseded by a new tiger mural on the same spot. This mural was sponsored by Tiger Beer and was created by Josef Valentino to celebrate 2010, the Year of the Tiger. It no longer exists, having been over-painted with Glasgow's Tiger (see below).
NS5864 : The Tiger Lucky Eight by Thomas Nugent
The passing cyclists show the scale of this larger than life tiger by Josef Valentino by the Clyde Walkway at Customhouse Quay. Viewed from Carlton Place.
by Thomas Nugent


NS5864 : The Tiger Lucky Eight by Thomas Nugent NS5864 : The Tiger Lucky Eight by Thomas Nugent NS5864 : The Tiger Lucky Eight by Thomas Nugent NS5864 : Tiger art, Glasgow by Gareth James NS5864 : The Tiger, Glasgow by Stevie Spiers NS5864 : Tiger, tiger, burning bright! by Keith Edkins

Customhouse Quay - Glasgow's Tiger

This mural by Klingatron replaced Tiger Lucky 8 (see above).
NS5864 : Tiger mural at Customhouse Quay by Thomas Nugent
This mural, by James Klinge, replaced an earlier tiger mural 'Tiger Lucky Eight' on the same wall NS5864 : The Tiger Lucky Eight.
by Thomas Nugent


NS5864 : Tiger mural at Customhouse Quay by Thomas Nugent NS5864 : Tiger mural at Customhouse Quay by Thomas Nugent NS5864 : Tiger mural at Customhouse Quay by Thomas Nugent

Clyde Street/Dunlop Street/Howard Street - Various

Two sets of murals on three different sides of the same building. Some of these murals have been removed as the retail units are now occupied.

Clyde Street
Appropriately showing scenes of the River Clyde in and around Glasgow, as far downstream as the Erskine Bridge, including underwater elephants and an underwater Dalek. Created by Rogue One, unfortunately this was always intended to be a temporary mural, to be removed once the building was let (it is now a gymnasium).
NS5964 : Clyde Street murals by Thomas Nugent
A novel way to board up a vacant retail unit overlooking the Clyde. The Clyde Auditorium (the Armadillo) and Finnieston Crane are depicted here (as is a dalek).
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS5964 : Clyde Street murals by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Clyde Street murals by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Clyde Street murals by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Clyde Street murals by Thomas Nugent

Dunlop Street & Howard Street
Also by Rogue One, this set features exotic birds in and out of cages cages, plus a curious cat. Many of these murals have been removed.

NS5964 : Graffiti style murals on Howard Street by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Graffiti style murals on Howard Street by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Graffiti style murals on Howard Street by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Graffiti style murals on Howard Street by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Graffiti style murals on Howard Street by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Graffiti style murals on Howard Street by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Graffiti style murals on Howard Street by Thomas Nugent

Here is a Link to more geograph photos of Clyde Street/Dunlop Street/Howard Street murals.

The Clutha Bar - Famous People

The Clutha Bar was the scene of a terrible accident on the night of 29th November 2013 when a Strathclyde Police helicopter fell out of the sky and landed on the flat roof of the pub, resulting in the death of ten people, including all three helicopter crew and seven people who were inside the pub.

The pub reopened in may 2015, around which time a 50 metre long, graffiti style mural was painted on the exterior walls. The mural was painted by local graffiti artists Rogue One and Ejek.

The mostly monochrome mural features several famous (mostly show-business) characters who have a connection with the pub either as artistes or customers (or both). These include Stan Laurel (comedian), Mary Barbour (Govan Socialist), Benny Lynch (boxer), Johnny Ramensky (safe-breaker) Woody Guthrie (musician), Spike Milligan (comedian), Billy Connolly (comedian), Gerry Rafferty (musician), (The Sensational) Alex Harvey (musician), Frank Zappa (musician), Jimmy Reid (Trades Unionist), John Martyn (musician), Glenda Jackson (actress & MP), Rupert Everett (actor) and David Hayman (actor).

NS5964 : The Clutha Bar by Thomas Nugent
Glenda Jackson, Rupert Everett and David Hayman. This is the Clyde Street side of the building.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS5964 : The Clutha Bar by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : The Clutha Bar by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : The Clutha Bar by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : The Clutha Bar by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : The Clutha Bar by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : The Clutha Bar by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : The Clutha Bar by Thomas Nugent

Here is a Link to more geograph photos of the Clutha Bar murals.

The Clutha Bar - Charles Rennie Mackintosh

In June 2018, a large (20 feet X 60 feet) mural depicting Charles Rennie Mackintosh was unveiled at the Clutha Bar. The work features a monochrome Mackintosh looking through one of his stained glass windows. This was created by Roague One in collaboration with Art Pistol to mark the 250th anniversary of Glaswegian Mackintosh's birth.
NS5964 : Charles Rennie Mackintosh Mural by Thomas Nugent
A beautiful example of spray paint art (60 feet by 20 feet) at the Clutha Bar.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Descriptions


NS5964 : Charles Rennie Mackintosh Mural by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : The Clyde Walkway at Stockwell Quay by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Charles Rennie Mackintosh Mural by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Charles Rennie Mackintosh Mural by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : The Clutha Bar by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : The Clutha Bar and the Briggait building by Thomas Nugent


University of Strathclyde - The Wonderwall

The Wonderwall is a graffiti style mural by Rogue One and Ejek which was created in 2014 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Royal Charter which established the UK's first technological university.

The mural makes use of colour and monochrome to show present day and historic views of the university and its predecessor colleges.

NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent
The east gable depicts the land ship, described by the university's web page as follows...

This mural – inspired by a 1913 photograph – tells the story of the Land-Ship, a mock navigation bridge which had been built on the roof of the School of Navigation in the Royal College.

The Land-Ship was a revolving platform with a Kelvin compass mounted on the top and it was used to teach the School’s students the principles of compass adjustment.


NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent
NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent NS5965 : Strathclyde University Wonderwall by Thomas Nugent

Here is a Link to more geograph photos of the Wonderwall.

Kelvingrove Park - History of Transport

One of the first major works in the city, this one can be found in Kelvingrove Park, near Kelvinbridge subway station. Artists are not known but included school pupils from Hillhead High, Hillhead Primary and Willowbank Primary.

When I visited in July 2017 the mural was showing signs of its age and was badly faded in places. Thankfully geograph was there to record it in its original condition.

NS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 17 - Taxi and credits by Richard Webb
The right hand end of a remarkable and beautiful piece of work.

The credits read...

Thanks to
Glasgow City Council
Culture and Sport Glasgow
Community Safety Services
Strathclyde Police
Clean Glasgow
Glasgow Museums

Also:
Hillhead High, Hillhead Primary and Willowbank Primary. Unfortunately my close up did not come out, and I cannot read all the names. I would like to add them here, so will try and get a good copy next time I am in Kelvingrove Park.

As said above, a beautiful and remarkable work.
by Richard Webb


NS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 1 - Subway by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 2 - Cars by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 3 - Trams by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 4 - Skateboards by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 5 - Glenfinnan Viaduct by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 6 - Strathspey Railway by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 7 - bicycles by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 8 - bicycles, ordinary by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 9 - Hairy biker by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 10 - Ferry by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 11 - QE2 by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 13 - Bus, not for shoving grannies off by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 14 - Horse drawn by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 15 - Trains by Richard WebbNS5766 : Mural, Kelvingrove Park. 16 - Horse by Richard Webb

The Billy Connolly Murals

In 2017, BBC Scotland commissioned three Scottish artists (Jack Vettriano, John Byrne and Rachel Maclean) to create a mural each to celebrate the 75th birthday of Glasgow comedian and Actor Billy Connolly. These added to the existing Billy Connolly mural at Anderston, just outside the city centre, which although not in the Graffiti style, is included here for completeness.

NS5864 : Billy Connolly mural on Dixon Street by Thomas Nugent
The Dixon Street mural, by Jack Vettriano


NS5964 : Billy Connolly mural on Osborne Street by Thomas Nugent
The Osborne Street mural, by John Byrne


NS5964 : Billy Connolly mural on the Gallowgate by Thomas Nugent
The Gallowgate mural, by Rachel Maclean


NS5765 : Billy Connolly mural by Thomas Nugent
The Anderston mural, by Andy Scott


NS5864 : Billy Connolly mural on Dixon Street by Thomas Nugent NS5864 : Billy Connolly mural on Dixon Street by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Billy Connolly mural on the Gallowgate by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Billy Connolly mural on the Gallowgate by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Billy Connolly mural on Osborne Street by Thomas Nugent NS5964 : Billy Connolly mural on Osborne Street by Thomas Nugent NS5765 : Billy Connolly mural by Thomas Nugent NS5765 : Billy Connolly mural by Thomas Nugent

Here is a Link to more geograph photos of the Billy Connolly murals.

KML

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