Glasgow's Street Murals

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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'.




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.

Mitchell Street - Girl

Mitchell Street - Taxi

By the artist known as Rogue One.

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.

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This bright and eye-catching work by has been superseded by a new tiger mural on the same spot.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).

Customhouse Quay - Glasgow's Tiger

This mural by Klingatron replaced Tiger Lucky 8 (see above).

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).



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.



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).




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.

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.





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.

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.







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

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