A GLASGOW cultural walk that features a mural of Billy Connolly has been named among the best in the world.
The City Centre Mural Trail was named in sixth place by top travel guide Wanderlust – beating places like the deCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Massachusetts; Naoshima Art Island, Japan and a walk around Kadıköy Yeldeğirmeni in Istanbul.
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It was the only place in the UK to make the list of 12 captivating art trails and sculpture parks around the world.
“Glasgow has become something of a creative powerhouse and its thriving artistic community is evident on this mural walking tour around the city centre: from a 200m ‘wonderwall’ celebrating the (mostly scientific) achievements of Strathclyde University to Fellow Glasgow Residents in which animals of all (Glaswegian) sorts poke their noses out to engage with the viewer,” said Wanderlust.
“The World’s Most Economic Taxi depicts a black cab floating beneath a colourful bunch of balloons (against a wall of painted bricks) while local legend Billy Connolly appears more than once in multi-storey mega-portraits. There’s bonus material too. For each mural a ‘what’s nearby’ section points visitors to neighbouring places of interest from the Cathedral and museums to a Sunday craft and design fair.”
The street murals are helping to rejuvenate streets and revitalise buildings and vacant sites that look a bit tired, reincarnating them as beautiful pieces of public street art.
The first art work was produced in 2008 and this portfolio of completed works has expanded since, said the project.
“The murals are also having a major impact on our city centre by creating splashes of colour which brighten up lanes and streets. This helps make them more inviting for locals and tourists alike to visit and supports local businesses.
“The huge range of artwork on display has something to suit all tastes – conservative to radical, quirky to bizarre.
“The street murals are unique pieces of art which Glaswegians, visitors and local businesses say are helping to enrich the city centre.
“Glasgow is proud of its local artists and their inspirational, colourful, installations.”
Topping the Wanderlust list was Callejón de Hamel (Hamel Street), Havana, Cuba; followed by Middelheim Sculpture Park, Antwerp, Belgium and Tír Sáile, The North Mayo Sculpture Trail, Ireland.
“Whether you’re into prehistoric rock paintings, urban street murals, or contemporary sculptures, there’s a walk of art to suit every traveller,” said Wanderlust.
“Spring is here, summer is coming and in Europe we are emerging from hibernation and hoping to spend more time outside. Diving into the often-windowless interiors of art galleries and museums may not be top of the good-weather to-do list. Thankfully that doesn’t mean giving up your art fix.
“In Europe and around the world there is plenty of art outside, and a plethora of ways to enjoy it. So, we’ve picked out a dozen inspirational art trails across the globe: urban street murals to site specific rural installations; prehistoric rock art to contemporary sculpture parks.”