George Wyllie Archive

George Wyllie’s archive comprises thousands of items spanning decades. In addition to artwork, the collection contains materials related to George’s well-known sculptures, photographs, writings, poems, notes, correspondence, exhibition posters, audiovisual recordings, autobiographical fragments and philosophical musings.

These materials offer valuable insights into Wyllie’s artistic development, documenting his creative process, relationship with the environment, and artistic collaborations.

The Wyllie Estate owns the archival collections, which are currently being processed and updated.

In addition to items in the care of the Wyllie family, part of the archive is stored at The Wyllieum in Greenock, while additional items are held at Strathclyde University.

The materials in the Archive are the property of The Wyllie Estate, and all content is subject to copyright laws.

Digitisation of the archive is an ongoing process, and additional resources are frequently added.
We invite you to return and explore the ever-expanding resource.

  • All
  • 1987
  • 1988
  • 1989
  • 1990
  • 1999
  • All Archive
  • Berlin
  • Boats
  • Burds
  • DDAGM
  • Drawing
  • Edinburgh
  • Exhibition
  • Glasgow
  • Home
  • Paper Boat
  • Performance
  • Photograph
  • Print
  • Programme
  • Public Art
  • Running Clock
  • Sculpture
  • Sketch Book
  • Spire
  • The Straw Locomotive
  • USA
  • Video
  • Workshop
Berlin – Why?
In 1988, George was one of the artists commissioned by the Glasgow District Council to showcase Scotland during Glasgow-Berlin 88, an exciting series of events that paved the way for Glasgow to be celebrated as the European City of Culture in 1990.
A fuzzy photo of school-kinders’ burds, 1988
George invited school children from both Glasgow and Berlin to design their own bird sculptures to accompany the big Burd. “Berlin and Glasgow school-kinders cooperated by creating 500 burds of their own – all defying ornithological identification. The burds were lined up behind my big Berlin Burd, who told them what it could see on the other side.”- George Wyllie
The Straw Locomotive suspended from the Finnieston Crane
Commissioned in 1987 by TSWA-3D, The Straw Locomotive was the first of Wyllie’s ambitious street theatres. Constructed using wire mesh and straw, Wyllie’s life-sized sculpture served as a striking statement on the demise of Glasgow’s once-thriving heavy industry.
Garden view with Spire
Louise with sculpture
Sculpture in the garden
The Suitcase in a Hurry, 1999
This is a drawing of an alternative design for Glasgow's Clyde Clock, also known as The Running Clock. The sculpture was commissioned by Radio Clyde to commemorate its 25th year as an independent broadcaster. It is located near Buchanan Bus Station. The aim was to create a landmark for the area as a gesture of appreciation for the city of Glasgow.
George on The Straw Locomotive, 1987
Commissioned in 1987 by TSWA-3D, The Straw Locomotive was the first of Wyllie’s ambitious street theatres. Constructed using wire mesh and straw, Wyllie’s life-sized sculpture served as a striking statement on the demise of Glasgow’s once-thriving heavy industry.
Sculpture exhibit
Boat sculpture with Richard Demarco and another.
Liberty Feeding the Eagle
Burds for Peace, Edinburgh Peace Festival, 1989
During the third Edinburgh Peace Festival, George Wyllie launched the Children’s art exhibition “A Better World in 2000 AD,” urging kids to create Peace Burds for a Moscow exhibition. The festival also included a symposium on conflict resolution amid the nuclear arms race, emphasising the critical need for peace.
Transporting the Bumper Dolphin
Dolphin sculpture made from up-cycled chrome car bumpers.
Working on a sculpture
Sculpture in the garden
Air, Equilibrium, Stone, Understanding, 1990
A drawing with printed text.
Parade of the Missing Tourists, 1987
View across the garden
The Running Clock, 1999
This is a drawing of an alternative design for Glasgow's Clyde Clock, also known as The Running Clock. The sculpture was commissioned by Radio Clyde to commemorate its 25th year as an independent broadcaster. It is located near Buchanan Bus Station. The aim was to create a landmark for the area as a gesture of appreciation for the city of Glasgow.
Red Eagle
mixed media on paper, 19.5 x 23.5 cm
Berlin Spire at the Reichstag building, 1988
George documenting his exhibition
At Promontory Point
At Promontory Point highlights a pivotal moment in American history: the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad through the unification of the Union and Central Pacific Railroads at Promontory Summit, Utah, in May 1869.
Sculpture in Garden
Sculpture in progress
The Berlin Burd, 1988
When George arrived in Berlin from Gourock in December 1988, he positioned the nearly five-meter-tall steel sculpture named the Berlin Burd to overlook the Berlin Wall, looking toward the East. This straightforward yet powerful gesture highlighted the absurdity of the wall that divided the city.
In the Workshop
Up
mixed media on paper, 1980, 23 x 14.5 cm
A Valhalla of Bank Clerks
mixed media on paper, 1982, 27 x 20 cm
In the workshop
Sculpture in the Garden
George at The Paper Boat launch event, Glasgow, 1989
The launch of the pride of The Origami Line (with the letters QM on her hull) took place on the banks of The Clyde on 6 May 1989 in front of a large crowd, and echoed the celebratory launches which once routinely took place on shipyards on the banks of the Clyde.
Newspaper cutting, Glasgow Herald, 1988
George refers to this article in his Berlin works. 'A stone is not a Bird'.
Welding
The Berlin Burd at 49 Wilhelmsruher Damm
The Berlin Burd is located at 49 Wilhelmsruher Damm, Berlin, next to a remaining section of the Berlin Wall. Originally, in 1988, the Burd was not permanently displayed; it was part of a temporary exhibition at the Atrium Arts Centre. Today, it stands alongside a small segment of the wall, along the path where it once ran on Wilhelmsruher Damm. Image from Google Maps
Glasgow in Berlin programme, 1988
Programme detailing George and other artists' work in Berlin. Glasgow-Berlin 88, was a series of events that paved the way for Glasgow to be celebrated as the European City of Culture in 1990.
Flying Eagle I
mixed media on paper, 1982, 27.5 x 21 cm
Printmaking
Printmaking with Arthur Watson
Eagle Song and Dance
mixed media on paper, 1985, 30.5 x 22.8 cm
Circus Gold & Berlin Spire, invitation / programme 1988
An invitation and information about George's performance Circus Gold at UFA-Fabrik
George with the Berlin Spire, 1988
A Cut-out Eagle for Hanging Over a Bank
screenprint
Berlin, 1988
When George arrived in Berlin from Gourock in December 1988, he positioned the nearly five-meter-tall steel sculpture named the Berlin Burd to overlook the Berlin Wall, looking toward the East. This straightforward yet powerful gesture highlighted the absurdity of the wall that divided the city. Not long after the Berlin Wall fell. This work includes a piece of the wall.
Spot welding
George at his workshop