Clydeside Expressway Mural Wall

grahamstewartwalker (Atlas Obscura User)

The Clydeside Expressway Mural Wall, painted by 27 artists from around the world, was commissioned by the Clydeside Initiative for Arts, part of nearby SWG3, one of the premier arts venues in Glasgow and Scotland as a whole. It hosts gigs by world-famous bands, DJs, and artistic projects.

Over three weeks in 2019, the artists transformed a long stretch of railway arches along the Clydeside Expressway: more than 700 hours of painting and spraying in total. The path along the expressway connects the city center of Glasgow to its thriving West End. The murals depict a vast array of subjects, ranging from bizarre and abstract to tributes to Glasgow’s industrial and artistic past.

The murals were visited by Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister for Scotland, demonstrating the importance of projects like this in the renewal of the city. As with all aspects of public art, especially in the form of graffiti, the works are in constant flux. There are new pieces being commissioned on a rotating basis, here today gone tomorrow.

Know Before You Go

The colourful murals can be viewed by car is you shoot past on the expressway but they can be better taken in on foot. There is ample parking round the corner. For the more adventurous, you can take the Clyde Path & Cycle Route. Very accessible walkway that runs along the river, taking anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes from the city center.

If taking the Clyde Path, there is a dirt trail used by runners, (just before the overpass steps), that spans the length of the expressway. This offers a good vantage point for viewing from a distance.

As is the nature of public art, (especially murals) they are constantly changing. If possible, a return visit will be rewarded with new and vibrant pieces.

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