Our latest new urban walk is an exploration of some of Glasgow’s stunning street murals. These impressive creations decorate blank end walls and vacant buildings and help to tranform otherwise less attractive corners of the city into striking public art works. The full walking route giving directions to see all these and more can be visited here: Glasgow Murals Trail.
This new mural on High Street was created early in 2016 by the Australian born street artist Smug (Sam Bates) – renowned for his photo-realistic style.
The Argyle Street Cafe mural is another work by Smug. It replaces an earlier version in which the cafe had more human customers and staff. The building is set for refurbishment in the near future.
The striking Five Faces is yet another work by Smug, set up on the five support columns where the Broomielaw passes beneath the main railway lines into Central Station.
Another of the five faces.
Wind Power is found on Mitchell Street, and was created by Rogue-One and Art Pistol. Originally it was part of a live installation as part of a Doors Open Day event in 2014.
Glasgow’s Tiger is on the Clyde Walkway just below the Broomielaw. The current version replaces a more stylised previous tiger, seen in profile composed of flames. It was created by Klingatron in collaboration with Art Pistol.
The World’s Most Economical Taxi on Mitchell Street is well worth a close examination. This work by Rogue-One isn’t really painted on a brick wall…
This huge work from Smug was created for the Commonwealth Games beneath the Kingston Bridge. It features several figures across the width of the bridge.
Another mural from the prolific Smug, Honey I Shrunk the Kids is on Mitchell Street but is a familiar sight when spotted from busy Argyle Street.
Not just a street mural but also a lesson in hand shadow puppetry, this work by Rogue-One is well worth seeking out on the Cowcaddens Underpass.
Glasgow’s Panda is amongst the bamboo groves of Gordon Lane, close to Charles’ Rennie Mackintosh’s Lighthouse building.
Also on a nature theme is Fellow Glasgow Residents, a huge work by Smug alongside an Ingram Street car park and depicting much of the wildlife that may be found in Glasgow’s parks and just outside the city.
The Hip-Hop Marionettes were made by Rogue-One, aided by Art Pistol, influenced by a Beastie Boys cover and a Run DMC picture.
This extensive work by Smug runs along Argyle Street and around the corner into York Street. ‘The Gallery’ amusingly features works by Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, Edward Munch, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
The Glasga Crocodile lurks under a Charing Cross footbridge, and was created by Klingatron, in collaboration with Art Pistol.
This work on the side of the Clutha Bar and features personalities and people associated with the pub and area. It was painted by Rogue-One, Art Pistol and Ejek.
Running around the corner of Howard Street and Dunlop Street is Big Birds, also created by Rogue-One and Art Pistol, features birds in and escaping from captivity – and facing dangers!
One of a number of huge works on the flanks of the University of Strathclyde’s buildings, the Land Ship depicts a mock up navigation bridge which was once used to teach at the School of Navigation in the Royal College. Around the corner is a mural of the Dansken Equatorial telescope, and just along is the Wonder Wall featuring some of the University’s most distinguished figures.
This lecture theatre is another of the Strathclyde University murals, which were all created by Art Pistol, aided by Rogue-One and Ejek.
This huge mural depicts Kieran Merrilees, the no.1 Scottish Badminton player, and was created by Guido Van Helten in the run up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the city.
All these murals and others can be seen along the route of Walkhighlands’ Glasgow Mural Trail – the link includes directions and a map.