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Original Proposal for the Finnieston Mural

Artist: Rodger, Willie, RSA RGI DUniv · 1930-2018

Original Proposal for the Finnieston Mural

In 1987 Rodger was commissioned by Scotrail [via Art in Partnership]to produce designs for a 102-foot long mural at Finnieston (formerly Stobcross)…

In 1987 Rodger was commissioned by Scotrail [via Art in Partnership]to produce designs for a 102-foot long mural at Finnieston (formerly Stobcross) Railway Station, Glasgow (since renamed the Exhibition Centre Station).

The theme was the development of Finnieston.

Working in monochrome lino Rodger selected a series of local buildings and cut them as though in elevation. Some areas were cut away to reveal the activities which took place inside.

Prominent amongst the structures depicted was the monumental Finnieston Crane from which George Wyllie’s Straw Locomotive was suspended.

Rodger’s lino prints were then taken to Peacock Printmakers in Aberdeen where he had already been involved in several projects with Arthur Watson PPRSA. Watson made separations of Rodger’s linocut designs on 30 inch wide ortho film which he then took in person to Escol Panels at Wellingborough near Peterborough where they were transferred to the enamel panels which comprise the finished mural.

The finished mural which is composed of a series of enamel panels mounted on a brick wall on the opposite side of the tracks from the platform was unveiled on 26 April 1988 by Cllr Charles Gray, Convener of Strathclyde Regional Council.

The present work is the original proposal, sketched in pen and ink and pasted to a mock-up of the station wall. Pencil notes in the margins below in the artist's hand indicate that he redesigned both ends of the mural in the finished piece.

© The Willie Rodger Art Trust