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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Marissa MacWhirter

New 'Daffodil King' inspired mural by renowned artist pops up in Govan

New 'Daffodil King' inspired mural by renowned artist pops up in Govan. Photos: Gordon Terris

A stunning mural is bringing a pop of colour to Glasgow's Govan Road.

The massive gable-end artwork depicting a young girl picking daffodils is an ode to the Govan community.

The mural was created by street artist Smug in collaboration with Govan Housing Association in honour of its 50th anniversary.

The Australian-born artist has painted some of Glasgow’s most beloved city centre murals featured on the council’s Mural Trail such as the High Street gable-end depiction of St Mungo.

The daffodils are inspired by the Govan-born "Daffodil King" Peter Barr, whose dedication to spreading his love of the bright yellow bloom has been honoured each year since 1912 by the Royal Horticultural Society’s Peter Barr Memorial Cup.

Barr is credited with bringing the daffodil back into fashion in the late 1800s, and the Memorial Cup is given out each year to those who follow in his footsteps and advance the standing of daffodils.

Behind the young girl, eagle-eyed onlookers can spot the great ocean liner, Empress of Britain, which was built in Govan by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company and launched in 1905.

Govan Housing Association is hosting an official unveiling of the mural this Friday at noon to tell the story behind the spectacular work.

Fiona McTaggart, chief executive of Govan Housing Association, said: “The association, with funding from the [Big Lottery Fund] is absolutely delighted to see the ideas and inspirations from the people of Govan coming to life in the mural. 

"We are especially pleased that the mural has been gifted by the association to Govan to mark our 50th anniversary.

“We would like to thank SWG3 for the work they carried out consulting the community and to Sam (Smug) for bringing those ideas together to create this amazing piece of artwork.

"We are sure people will get pleasure from the mural now and for many years to come.”

Laura Frood, programme manager for SWG3, added: “SWG3 have been delighted to partner with Govan Housing Association to deliver this mural to mark 50 years of the housing association.

“Our Yardworks programme has been working with people in Govan for the last 18 months and we hope that they enjoy the mural for years to come.

"The mural will form part of a mural trail under our Yardworks GRID Programme, tasked with establishing multiple public art sites in Govan, Partick and Yorkhill.”

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