List of public art in Glasgow facts for kids

Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland, is home to many public statues. These statues show off the city's rich history and important people. Some were put up by the city itself, while others were paid for by everyday people. You can also find statues on the outside of grand old buildings.

Statues in Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square is a historic area with several statues. These statues honor important figures from Glasgow's past.

William III of Orange

This large bronze statue shows William II of Scotland (also known as William of Orange) on horseback. It was first put up in 1735 at Glasgow Cross and later moved to Cathedral Square in 1923. An unknown artist created this impressive statue.

James Lumsden

The bronze statue of James Lumsden stands on a pink granite base. John Mossman sculpted it in 1862. Lumsden was a stationer, meaning he sold paper and writing supplies. He was also a kind person who helped the community and served as the leader of Glasgow (called the Lord Provost of Glasgow) from 1843 to 1846.

David Livingstone

This bronze statue honors David Livingstone, a famous Scottish explorer and missionary. John Mossman also created this statue in 1879. It has been moved a few times, finally finding its home in Cathedral Square in 1990.

Norman Macleod

Another bronze statue by John Mossman, this one is of Reverend Dr. Norman Macleod. It was made in 1881.

James White of Overtoun

The bronze statue of James White of Overtoun was started by John Mossman and finished by Francis Leslie in 1890. White was a lawyer, a businessman, and made chemicals.

James Arthur

George Anderson Lawson created this bronze statue of James Arthur in 1893. Arthur was a clothing manufacturer.

Other statues in this area include figures like St Paul and St Peter on the Barony North Church.

Nearby, the Glasgow Necropolis is a large cemetery with many statues on the graves of important people. A huge monument to John Knox, a Scottish religious reformer, stands tall on a hill there. It has a 12-foot statue of Knox on top of a tall column, built in 1825.

Art at Charing Cross

Abstract Wall Relief

At Bath Lane near Charing Cross, you can see an untitled abstract mural. It was created around 1972 by Keith McCarter. This large relief mural is made from 19 pre-cast concrete blocks.

Statues at Custom House Quay

La Pasionaria

At Custom House Quay, there is a statue called La Pasionaria, which honors Dolores Ibárruri. Arthur Dooley created this iron and fiberglass statue between 1974 and 1979. It was commissioned by a group called the International Brigade Association of Scotland.

Statues in Elder Park

Elder Park in Govan has statues honoring the Elder family and a memorial.

John Elder

A bronze statue of John Elder, a famous shipbuilder, stands in the park. Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm created it in 1888.

Isabella Elder

This seated bronze statue of Isabella Elder was made by Archibald McFarlane Shannan in 1906. She was a very important woman who helped the community.

HMS K13 Submariners Memorial

An obelisk made of granite, this memorial was built in 1922 to remember the submariners from HMS K13. Robert Gray designed it.

George Square's Famous Figures

George Square is Glasgow's main public square. It was designed in 1782 and is now surrounded by grand buildings like the Glasgow City Chambers. Many important statues fill this space.

Sir John Moore

The very first statue put up in George Square was this bronze one of Sir John Moore in 1819. It was sculpted by John Flaxman.

James Watt

A seated bronze statue of James Watt, the famous inventor who improved the steam engine, was placed here in 1832. Francis Leggatt Chantrey created it.

Sir Walter Scott Memorial

This tall column with a statue on top honors Sir Walter Scott, a famous Scottish writer. It was built in 1837 and was the first statue ever made of him. John Greenshields and Alexander Handyside Ritchie sculpted the statue, and David Rhind designed the column.

Queen Victoria

An impressive bronze statue of Queen Victoria on horseback was put in the square in 1854. It was the first equestrian (on horseback) statue of a woman in Britain! Carlo Marochetti was the artist.

James Oswald

Carlo Marochetti also sculpted this bronze statue of James Oswald in 1855. Oswald was a merchant.

Sir Robert Peel

This bronze statue of Sir Robert Peel was made by John Mossman in 1859.

Prince Albert

Another equestrian statue by Carlo Marochetti, this one shows Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband. It was put up in 1866.

Lord Clyde

John Henry Foley created this bronze statue of Lord Clyde in 1867.

Thomas Graham

A seated bronze statue of Thomas Graham, a chemist, was made by William Brodie in 1871.

Robert Burns

Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, is honored with this bronze statue created by George Edwin Ewing and James Alexander Ewing in 1877.

Thomas Campbell

Another poet, Thomas Campbell, has a bronze statue in the square, made by John Mossman in 1877.

William Ewart Gladstone

Hamo Thornycroft sculpted this bronze statue of William Ewart Gladstone in 1902. He was a very important British politician.

Glasgow War Memorial

The Glasgow War Memorial is a large monument with two lion statues. It was built in 1924 to remember those who died in wars. Ernest Gillick was the sculptor and John James Burnet was the architect.

Art at Glasgow Harbour

The Rise

At Glasgow Harbour, you can see a modern sculpture called The Rise. It's 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall and made of galvanized steel. Andy Scott created it in 2008.

Statues on Gordon Street

Citizen Firefighter

On Gordon Street, there's a bronze statue called "Citizen Firefighter" by Kenny Hunter, made in 2001. It became a special place for people to honor firefighters after the September 11 attacks.

Statues on Ingram Street

George Hutcheson

Inside an alcove at the former Hutchesons' Hospital on Ingram Street, you'll find a stone statue of George Hutcheson. It was made by James Colquhoun in 1649.

The Italian Centre on Ingram Street also has modern statues by Alexander Stoddart.

Art in Kelvingrove Park

Kelvingrove Park is a large park with several interesting statues and memorials.

Stewart Memorial Fountain

This beautiful fountain was built in 1872. James Sellers was the architect, and John Mossman was the sculptor. It's made of sandstone, marble, and granite.

Saint Mungo as the Patron of Art and Music

At the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a sculpture group called Saint Mungo as the Patron of Art and Music can be seen. George Frampton created this bronze piece in 1901.

South African War Memorial

This bronze statue on a stone base is the South African War Memorial, made by William Birnie Rhind in 1906.

Lord Kelvin

A seated bronze statue of Lord Kelvin, a famous scientist, stands in the park. Archibald Macfarlane Shannan created it in 1913.

Frederick Roberts

This bronze equestrian statue of Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts was made in 1916. Henry Poole created it based on an original by Harry Bates.

Thomas Carlyle

A stone sculpture of Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish philosopher, was made by William Kellock Brown in 1916.

Cameronians War Memorial

This bronze statue group on a granite base is the Cameronians War Memorial, created by Philip Lindsey Clark in 1924.

The Psalmist

In the Honeyman Memorial Garden within Kelvingrove Park, you can find a bronze sculpture called The Psalmist. Benno Schotz created it in 1972.

Statues at Partick Interchange

G.I. Bride

At Partick station, there's a bronze resin statue of the "G.I. Bride" character from the Lobey Dosser comic series by Bud Neill. Ranald MacColl created it in 2011. She is shown with her baby, Ned, always trying to get a ride back to Partick.

Royal Exchange Square's Famous Cone-Wearing Statue

Duke of Wellington Monument

In Royal Exchange Square, you'll find the famous Duke of Wellington monument. This bronze statue on a granite base was made by Carlo Marochetti in 1844. It's well-known because people often put a traffic cone on the Duke's head! While it's a fun tradition, the city council has asked people not to do it because it can damage the statue.

Statues in Springburn Park

Springburn Park also has some interesting statues.

Unicorn & Column

A terracotta sculpture of a unicorn on a column can be found in the park. It dates back to the late 19th century.

James Reid

A bronze statue of James Reid (1823–1894) stands on a granite pedestal. Goscombe John created it in 1903.

Victoria Park's War Memorial

Partick & Whiteinch War Memorial

In Victoria Park, there's an 8-meter (about 26 feet) tall war memorial for Partick & Whiteinch. It features a bronze statue on an obelisk and was created by Francis William Doyle Jones in 1922.

Art on Woodlands Road

Lobey Dosser

On Woodlands Road, you can see a bronze statue of Lobey Dosser, a cartoon character created by Bud Neill. Ranald MacColl designed it, and Tony Morrow & Nick Gillion sculpted it in 1992. The statue shows Lobey Dosser, the sheriff of Calton Creek, with his enemy Rank Bajin, on Lobey's two-legged horse, El Fideldo. It's said to be the only two-legged equestrian statue in the world!