The largest public mural by the renowned Scottish polymath Alasdair Gray has been unveiled in Glasgow at one of its busiest underground stations.
The work of art, two yards high and 13 yards across, now dominates the main wall of the refurbished Hillhead station in the west end of the city.
Gray's work, commissioned by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), shows a panoramic and detailed sweep of the west end, from Byres Road looking east towards the centre of Glasgow, with landmarks such as Glasgow University, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Hillhead library, and the Botanic Gardens.
The project took 14 months, with fellow artist Nichol Wheatley and a team from Perfect Circle Art developing a method of working with ceramics to complete the scheme, which also features depictions of urban foxes and culture vultures.
Gray said: "The station is in the centre of Hillhead, which I know well. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the old BBC building with Botanic Gardens had been among my favourite places since the age of 11.
"I have lived and worked in the district since 1969, and I knew I would enjoy depicting it, and those who use the Subway, in a symbolic and humorous way.
"This has been a highly detailed and complex work.
"My crazy vanity that wants to produce big and impressive things has carried on as usual, but I am happy with the outcome, and I hope others will enjoy it as well."
Wheatley added: "Making art an integral part of the Subway modernisation programme is fantastic for Glasgow and Scotland, and kudos to SPT for doing it.
"With 14 other stations to be modernised, there is a real opportunity to stimulate artistic vision and creativity, adding greatly to the weave and fabric of Glasgow."
David Fagan, vice-chairman of SPT, said: "Hillhead is the first of our stations to be modernised, and we wanted to take this opportunity to make a bold statement about the importance we place on art in the Subway.
"Commissioning a visually striking work by a renowned artist was vital, making Alasdair a natural choice for the project.
"With his strong connections and affection for the area, we knew he would deliver a work that not only reflects the character of Hillhead and the west end, but also embodies the aspirational nature of SPT's ambitions for the future."
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