Original artwork description:

This piece was inspired by a walk though Kevingrove Park in Glasgow.

Kelvingrove Park was originally created as the West End Park in 1852, and partly designed by noted gardener Sir Joseph Paxton, Head Gardener at Chatsworth House, whose other works included The Crystal Palace in London and Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and mostly designed by architect Charles Wilson, and surveyor Thomas Kyle. The Town Council had purchased the land, which formerly represented parts of the Kelvingrove and Woodlands estates. The park was intended to provide for the continued expansion of the city to the west, providing relaxation and recreation opportunities for the new middle class to the west, and an escape from the rapid slumming around Glasgow Green.

The park is 85 acres in size and straddles the River Kelvin shortly before the river's confluence with the Clyde, and as such is an urban haven for wildlife. Birds found in the area include the grey heron, cormorant, kingfisher, mallard and goosander, and other animals include the red fox, brown rat and otters. The park is flanked to the west by Gilmorehill and the University of Glasgow, to the south by Finnieston, Kelvingrove and Yorkhill, to the east by Charing Cross and to the north by Hillhead and Woodlands. This central location makes it a popular route for pedestrians and cyclists commuting to the city centre, leading quickly from the West End to Charing Cross whilst avoiding traffic. The park is also popular with dog-walkers and students from the university. Kelvingrove sits around the contours of a large hill, on which is sited the Park district of Glasgow.

This was formerly a highly desirable residential area before falling out of fashion and being taken over mostly for office space and student accommodation. However, recent high-class developments there have led to much of the neighbourhood returning to residential use.

Materials used:

Acrylic

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