George Wyllie

Scottish Scul?tor

George Wyllie (1921 – 2012) was an extraordinary self-taught artist and a pioneering ‘social sculptor’ whose wildly imaginative creations transformed everyday materials – like steel, stone, wood, and paper – into captivating works of art. With a style he described as ‘seriously playful’, Wyllie’s approach engaged the public and delivered powerful messages that still ignite conversation and inspire.

Among his most iconic public artworks are ‘The Straw Locomotive’ (1987) and ‘The Paper Boat’ (1989). He also penned and performed the award-winning play ‘A Day Down A Goldmine’ (1982). His works unapologetically tackle pressing social and political issues, engaging with topics such as the climate crisis, capitalism, and the decline of Britain’s industrial backbone.

–

George Wyllie was born in Shettleston, Glasgow, on Hogmanay in 1921. The bustling port of the River Clyde, then filled with ships, greatly influenced his later artwork. During World War II he served as an engineer in the Royal Navy. While in the Pacific, he visited the devastated city of Hiroshima, witnessing the destruction of the atomic bomb. After the war, and marriage to his beloved Daphne, Wyllie became a customs and excise officer in Greenock – a job that involved a lot of questioning.

In 1965, Wyllie decided it was time for art and entered a four-decade-long career as an artist.