The Artist Travels:
On a Pilgrimage to Glasgow…
Following my “Words are not enough Orrery” exhibition on the conference table in the boardroom at the Museum of the Mind, Beckenham Kent,
(4 September 2021). I returned to Glasgow, a city of relocation, rebirth and recuperation for me following a near fatal head injury at age 18. I took my ‘Let’s Nurse the Earth’ world map banner on a journey to mirror my period of healing, focused in sympathy for the benefit of the planet, the climate and ecology crisis we face. This was planned along with other, related projects for Scotland’s Climate Fringe Week 2021 to prepare and raise awareness in the approach to the COP26 conference in November 2021.
On a Pilgrimage to Glasgow…
Following my “Words are not enough Orrery” exhibition on the conference table in the boardroom at the Museum of the Mind, Beckenham Kent,
(4 September 2021). I returned to Glasgow, a city of relocation, rebirth and recuperation for me following a near fatal head injury at age 18. I took my ‘Let’s Nurse the Earth’ world map banner on a journey to mirror my period of healing, focused in sympathy for the benefit of the planet, the climate and ecology crisis we face. This was planned along with other, related projects for Scotland’s Climate Fringe Week 2021 to prepare and raise awareness in the approach to the COP26 conference in November 2021.
Glasgow mural of magnifying glass
Initial Glasgow lens sketch.
Glasgow lens coming into focus
The artist’s tale: the journey there
I set off on this pilgrimage to Glasgow on (22nd September 2021), keen to acknowledge this as Car Free Day. I had to get to Euston with my bulky equipment; a two-meter world map banner rolled up-cycled in a length of pipe, one of my ‘Worry Bead’s’ (engraved glass sphere fishing buoy) packed safely in a trolley-bag full of clothes, and a 1970’s style white fold-up bike.
I missed the right train into town so had to resort to catching a taxi from London Bridge to Euston. Despite the small fold-up bike not folding too easily (due to rust). Fortunately the taxi driver had no problems with both it and the 2 meter pipe containing the important world map banner being on board.
Once at Euston, I still had to book the bicycle on the train. When I’d tried before by phone there was a thirty-minute wait but in person it was quick and I managed to get everything on and into the guards’ carriage with three minutes to spare. I had all sorts of plans to prepare for Glasgow and had hoped to use the train journey to achieve this. However I was so exhausted (one of the side effects of my head injury is fatigue) and relieved to be on the train, I just fell asleep almost immediately.
On arrival at Glasgow early evening, my friend of 30 years, Andy picked me, the banner and the bicycle up from the station. We all fitted snuggly into his car. Driving back with Andy he pointed out that Billy Mac’s, (another of my old pals from Glasgow), hair salon was just down there, in town. We continued on to Rutherglen greeted us with its lit-up, Medieval-looking, clock-towered town hall. I felt welcomed and pleased to be back amongst old friends, landmarks and memories.
I set off on this pilgrimage to Glasgow on (22nd September 2021), keen to acknowledge this as Car Free Day. I had to get to Euston with my bulky equipment; a two-meter world map banner rolled up-cycled in a length of pipe, one of my ‘Worry Bead’s’ (engraved glass sphere fishing buoy) packed safely in a trolley-bag full of clothes, and a 1970’s style white fold-up bike.
I missed the right train into town so had to resort to catching a taxi from London Bridge to Euston. Despite the small fold-up bike not folding too easily (due to rust). Fortunately the taxi driver had no problems with both it and the 2 meter pipe containing the important world map banner being on board.
Once at Euston, I still had to book the bicycle on the train. When I’d tried before by phone there was a thirty-minute wait but in person it was quick and I managed to get everything on and into the guards’ carriage with three minutes to spare. I had all sorts of plans to prepare for Glasgow and had hoped to use the train journey to achieve this. However I was so exhausted (one of the side effects of my head injury is fatigue) and relieved to be on the train, I just fell asleep almost immediately.
On arrival at Glasgow early evening, my friend of 30 years, Andy picked me, the banner and the bicycle up from the station. We all fitted snuggly into his car. Driving back with Andy he pointed out that Billy Mac’s, (another of my old pals from Glasgow), hair salon was just down there, in town. We continued on to Rutherglen greeted us with its lit-up, Medieval-looking, clock-towered town hall. I felt welcomed and pleased to be back amongst old friends, landmarks and memories.
Rutherglen Town hall
Re-cycling around town
Thursday morning, I woke up excited to be back cycling around Glasgow, as I did 30 years ago. I needed first to get into town from Rutherglen by train. I headed for the town hall positioned conveniently nearby the station, to start to take shots of memorial landmarks during my time in Glasgow. On arrival in town, my first port of call was Scrimshaw’s, Billy Mac’s hair salon. I saw a guy leaving the shop in a snazzy hat and called out ‘Billy?’. To my surprise he turned and immediately called out ‘ Xavier’!
He was just going to get some breakfast. We returned to Srimshaws shop for a coffee and a catch-up on the 20-plus years since we last chatted. His salon is 30 meters from the Cultha bar where the police helicopter had crashed in 2013. Billy had been one of the first on the scene, he said the area after the crash was eerily quiet. From Billy Mac’s Salon I continued to explore Glasgow and found a shop called Mr. Ben, for up-cycled clothes.
I cycled around town a bit and went to the GFT (Glasgow Film Theatre). Outside was a lady looking at the listings, who I spoke to. I told her I hadn’t been here for 20 years, or more. It turned out she was from South London as well and had been in Glasgow for 20 years. I had intended to go into these places and talk to people but I didn’t really feel I knew where to start so I shied away from it. However I saw this ‘Living Proof’ poster with an X in, so I felt welcomed. They knew I was coming, didn’t they?
Thursday morning, I woke up excited to be back cycling around Glasgow, as I did 30 years ago. I needed first to get into town from Rutherglen by train. I headed for the town hall positioned conveniently nearby the station, to start to take shots of memorial landmarks during my time in Glasgow. On arrival in town, my first port of call was Scrimshaw’s, Billy Mac’s hair salon. I saw a guy leaving the shop in a snazzy hat and called out ‘Billy?’. To my surprise he turned and immediately called out ‘ Xavier’!
He was just going to get some breakfast. We returned to Srimshaws shop for a coffee and a catch-up on the 20-plus years since we last chatted. His salon is 30 meters from the Cultha bar where the police helicopter had crashed in 2013. Billy had been one of the first on the scene, he said the area after the crash was eerily quiet. From Billy Mac’s Salon I continued to explore Glasgow and found a shop called Mr. Ben, for up-cycled clothes.
I cycled around town a bit and went to the GFT (Glasgow Film Theatre). Outside was a lady looking at the listings, who I spoke to. I told her I hadn’t been here for 20 years, or more. It turned out she was from South London as well and had been in Glasgow for 20 years. I had intended to go into these places and talk to people but I didn’t really feel I knew where to start so I shied away from it. However I saw this ‘Living Proof’ poster with an X in, so I felt welcomed. They knew I was coming, didn’t they?
Along the top of the same rise is the Charles Rennie Macintosh art school, I was interested to see what it looked like after the devastating fires. It turned out to be covered in scaffolding. It looked a mausoleum or sculpture of scaffold, a little dense but still carrying a Macintosh-style linear aesthetic. There were a bunch of students coming out. I asked them how their studies were going with the building fires and pandemic? They said “They’re going fine”.
Glasgow Art School
What I like about Glasgow in particular is you can be in the middle of town at this high point beside the art school and see all the way out to the Campsie Hills to the North and the Country Parks to the South of Glasgow. It gives you a sense of proportion, with the country on both sides.
I continued across the hill to the end point, where you get this looking west vista; reminding me of a Tolkeinesque setting for the COP discussions on the worlds climate’s uncertain futures.
From here I continued my re-familiarisation process with the streets and vistas of the town. I arrived at Kelvingrove Park. Here I got the true delights of being on my bicycle. The empty park, steep climbs / descents, palatial houses, gothic university buildings and Glasgow’s impressive overview; I felt over-excited to be back.
Following the River Kelvin’s footpath, I tried to get back to Maryhill Burgh Hall, where I had rented a studio in the 1980’s. However, after a certain amount of the familiar route, unfamiliar new blocks of flats meant I couldn’t get through. So, I had to re-route a bit and this detour quite tired me. Arriving fatigued, I shied away from approaching the front desk to ask for help and snuck upstairs where I used to rent a studio. I knocked on the door that I thought was where my studio had been, which now was an architect’s practice. I got a friendly welcome from them and an invitation for a tea & biscuits when I return in November.
Following the River Kelvin’s footpath, I tried to get back to Maryhill Burgh Hall, where I had rented a studio in the 1980’s. However, after a certain amount of the familiar route, unfamiliar new blocks of flats meant I couldn’t get through. So, I had to re-route a bit and this detour quite tired me. Arriving fatigued, I shied away from approaching the front desk to ask for help and snuck upstairs where I used to rent a studio. I knocked on the door that I thought was where my studio had been, which now was an architect’s practice. I got a friendly welcome from them and an invitation for a tea & biscuits when I return in November.
Friday’s angels.
Friday morning, I woke up ready for the Climate Crisis march. I got the train in with the banner (no bicycle this time) and a taxi to number six Professor Square where I thought the march was planned to start.
Friday morning, I woke up ready for the Climate Crisis march. I got the train in with the banner (no bicycle this time) and a taxi to number six Professor Square where I thought the march was planned to start.
No 6 Professor Square, naybody there?
Nobody was there. I panic-called a friend from outside this rather beautiful gothic university building; “Where does the march start?” Hearing his keyboards tapping away madly he came back with the answer “Prince of Wales Bridge”. Thinking to myself, ‘that’s just typical!’ Middle of Scotland’s famous park a bridge is named after an English prince of a different country of the U.K.
I headed down through the park and got directions for the bridge. I knew I was getting close when I saw loitering groups of policemen in ‘hi-vis’ jackets. On finding the ‘Wales’ bridge, and seeing the crowds preparing for the march, I began to unroll and assemble the “Lets Nurse the Earth” banner. With people milling about, by the time I had successfully got the world map banner together, they had started without me. With the help of two ‘angels’ who appeared as if from nowhere, we managed to catch up with the back end of the march. Not before I slid the pipe I’d carried the banner in, into the bushes to be picked up at a later date.
Let's nurse the earth World Map Banner
We marched up through the park and joined the road down from the university towards town. My two angels said they weren’t carrying the banner all the way to George Square so I made efforts to ask for other volunteers as we march. We also learned between us how to handle such a large canvas, which was acting like a sail when winds gust past the march, so walking side-on proved sometimes to be a safer option. When we got to Sauchihall street, people were clapping from windows in support, which was nice. One of my beautiful assistants, Megan, joined me there where we passed a gallery, one of the workers inside stuck two fingers up at us and I thought to myself, ‘I’ll have to go back there later and ask if she was offering £200 or £2,000 for my world map artwork?’
Let's Nurse The Earth World Map Banner on the march
Turning on the main route to George Square, a woman approached us saying she was a representative of COP26 TV and could they do an interview? Megan and I turned the banner to face the camera. I was so impressed with myself, I gave this whole spiel about influencing world leaders to discuss and find solutions. I was really surprised, we both were. ‘How was I, felt very fluid?’
‘Yes you came across brilliantly.’
On arrival at George Square, a stage was set between the two large stone plinths with horse and rider sculptures a top. I immediately went to one of the plinths and stood my banner on the higher level. It quickly got blown down so I decided on a lower level. Somebody approached me with a couple of zip-ties and suggested attaching the world map banner to the big metal police barriers. This was ideal as it was nice and sturdy in front of the audience. I felt I was upstaging them a bit with their last-minute cardboard banners and here was me with my huge two-meter vinyl work of art in front of the stage-setting vans, and with a Charles Rennie Macintosh font.
‘Yes you came across brilliantly.’
On arrival at George Square, a stage was set between the two large stone plinths with horse and rider sculptures a top. I immediately went to one of the plinths and stood my banner on the higher level. It quickly got blown down so I decided on a lower level. Somebody approached me with a couple of zip-ties and suggested attaching the world map banner to the big metal police barriers. This was ideal as it was nice and sturdy in front of the audience. I felt I was upstaging them a bit with their last-minute cardboard banners and here was me with my huge two-meter vinyl work of art in front of the stage-setting vans, and with a Charles Rennie Macintosh font.
Let's Nurse The Earth World Map Banner at George Square.
The canvas now secure, I gave out some stickers and sat down on a bench to listen to the speeches. Two young girls sat next to me, one was saying about how she told her dad how much she wanted to get arrested before she turned eighteen. I gave her a ‘bust-card’ (a card with legal information on regarding being arrested in a protest context) to have a read before she committed fully to this plan for her future career move.
From here, about 3.30 pm, I decided I’d had enough, and I should go home. I cut the zip-ties and proceeded, rather stupidly, to carry the banner through Saturday-afternoon shoppers, parading through Glasgow town center. Fortunately, I didn’t whack anyone in the head.
On crossing a parking lot with the banner, the wind caught me, and my precious banner folded. Fortunately for me, a passing couple offered a “Hond” and helped me carry it around to Scrimshaw’s which was just around the corner. Once safely back at the salon’s rest room I could assess my broken banner, which had cracked two of the corner-braces but it still held together enough to impress a couple of Billy Mac’s late customers, enough for them to photograph it.
‘Please tweet’ was my request.
From here, about 3.30 pm, I decided I’d had enough, and I should go home. I cut the zip-ties and proceeded, rather stupidly, to carry the banner through Saturday-afternoon shoppers, parading through Glasgow town center. Fortunately, I didn’t whack anyone in the head.
On crossing a parking lot with the banner, the wind caught me, and my precious banner folded. Fortunately for me, a passing couple offered a “Hond” and helped me carry it around to Scrimshaw’s which was just around the corner. Once safely back at the salon’s rest room I could assess my broken banner, which had cracked two of the corner-braces but it still held together enough to impress a couple of Billy Mac’s late customers, enough for them to photograph it.
‘Please tweet’ was my request.
Saturday’s child
After the busyness of the march, I elected to have an easy day. I had a dinner date with a family who had taken me in when I was homeless, way back in 1980’s. I also stocked up on supplies for my host locally and found a Bargain Store with precarious shelves were stacked so high with wares as to be frighteningly unsafe. Also a bike shop to put the bike in for a much -needed service. I caught the train back into town to pick up the banner pipe from Kelvingrove Park bushes, and took it back to Scrimshaw’s, reuniting it with the busted banner. Then off to the Abubacker’s for a delightful reunion family meal, and evening taxi ride back with the world map to Rutherglen.
After the busyness of the march, I elected to have an easy day. I had a dinner date with a family who had taken me in when I was homeless, way back in 1980’s. I also stocked up on supplies for my host locally and found a Bargain Store with precarious shelves were stacked so high with wares as to be frighteningly unsafe. Also a bike shop to put the bike in for a much -needed service. I caught the train back into town to pick up the banner pipe from Kelvingrove Park bushes, and took it back to Scrimshaw’s, reuniting it with the busted banner. Then off to the Abubacker’s for a delightful reunion family meal, and evening taxi ride back with the world map to Rutherglen.
Bargin Store for CO2
Sunday, Sunday….
Scot, a friend of Andy’s came over for the afternoon and gave me a lift to some out-of-the-way industrial estate for Climate Fringe Weeks closing party.
Scot, a friend of Andy’s came over for the afternoon and gave me a lift to some out-of-the-way industrial estate for Climate Fringe Weeks closing party.
When we got there, I rolled out the banner and taped it to the wall as I didn’t need the broken corner brackets. As I rolled it out on the floor in preparation, I was immediately surprised by someone stating; ‘That was your banner?’ It turned out to be ‘Keng Keng’ from Climate Fringe Weeks banner making workshop. Once up the banner drew some compliments and another banner maker ‘Francoise’ from the Paris based Climate Fresk. We stuck up the banner along side the French makers, it did come unstuck but was quickly re-stuck by the party guests.
World Map Banner at Climate Fringe Week closing party in ....
On leaving the party, there was no taxi to be had, but I decided to try and find one out of the rain under the motorway bridge, two passed, one refused the banner but after 30 mins I got one…When I got back to Rutherglen I realised I’d left some vital banner bits behind! To be collected in November….
Monday Meetings
I was due to have a coffee with a lecturer from Glasgow University before my train. I had wanted to discuss her thoughts on the city’s expectations for COP 26 locally. But she instead offered me the chance to do a presentation to some students. I couldn’t turn this opportunity down, but I was nervous. I thought the archivist students would be interested in the Museum of Minds exhibition around John Burton’s 17th century The Anatomy of Melancholy book & the chapter on Melancholia In Love from which I’d done an anti- valentines card making workshop for the Museum. I gifted the Worry Bead as desk top art to Maggie to look after until COP26.
On leaving Glasgow University I intended to take a taxi to Glasgow Central station but ended up walking all the way and not one taxi passed me, ‘what are the chances?’ Loaded up with the banner on to the train, and then getting a warning from a guard not to hold it upright on the platform for fear of overhead electrical SPARKS can jump, I was jaded but pleased with the day’s events so far…
I was due to have a coffee with a lecturer from Glasgow University before my train. I had wanted to discuss her thoughts on the city’s expectations for COP 26 locally. But she instead offered me the chance to do a presentation to some students. I couldn’t turn this opportunity down, but I was nervous. I thought the archivist students would be interested in the Museum of Minds exhibition around John Burton’s 17th century The Anatomy of Melancholy book & the chapter on Melancholia In Love from which I’d done an anti- valentines card making workshop for the Museum. I gifted the Worry Bead as desk top art to Maggie to look after until COP26.
On leaving Glasgow University I intended to take a taxi to Glasgow Central station but ended up walking all the way and not one taxi passed me, ‘what are the chances?’ Loaded up with the banner on to the train, and then getting a warning from a guard not to hold it upright on the platform for fear of overhead electrical SPARKS can jump, I was jaded but pleased with the day’s events so far…
Glasgow University presentation, World Map minus Frame
The pilgrim returns…
Returning to London, it gave me a chance to reflect on the journey, people and places I had visited. However, how best to approach the damaged world – both in terms of my canvas, but also the broader climate change messages? Although I shied away from pushing myself forward, I was pleased with the feedback I received on the times I did achieve connections and new contacts I made – ‘Note to self – Be Braver!’ I look forward to reconnecting when I return in November for the COP26. All in all I am pleased with my Climate Fringe Week reconnaissance.
I have my return to Glasgow booked for Raise A Banner Day (1st November), I am buoyed and more confident with some of my key messages and aspects from the impromptu speech I gave to the Cop26TV and the Extinction Rebellion communications networks an others.
I plan a sort of pilgrimage tour of the places I stayed and knew, such as Queen Margret Drive & Byers Road, the Botanic Gardens,
Red Road, Duntocher & Clydebank, Ruchill, Maryhill Burgh Hall, Kelvingrove Pk & Gallery even hoping to return Faslane Peace Camp.
So if you see someone around Glasgow next to a large ‘Lets Nurse The Earth’ world map banner say Hello and sign your care / support for our Earth / our environment.
Let’s Hope the weather clement?
Returning to London, it gave me a chance to reflect on the journey, people and places I had visited. However, how best to approach the damaged world – both in terms of my canvas, but also the broader climate change messages? Although I shied away from pushing myself forward, I was pleased with the feedback I received on the times I did achieve connections and new contacts I made – ‘Note to self – Be Braver!’ I look forward to reconnecting when I return in November for the COP26. All in all I am pleased with my Climate Fringe Week reconnaissance.
I have my return to Glasgow booked for Raise A Banner Day (1st November), I am buoyed and more confident with some of my key messages and aspects from the impromptu speech I gave to the Cop26TV and the Extinction Rebellion communications networks an others.
I plan a sort of pilgrimage tour of the places I stayed and knew, such as Queen Margret Drive & Byers Road, the Botanic Gardens,
Red Road, Duntocher & Clydebank, Ruchill, Maryhill Burgh Hall, Kelvingrove Pk & Gallery even hoping to return Faslane Peace Camp.
So if you see someone around Glasgow next to a large ‘Lets Nurse The Earth’ world map banner say Hello and sign your care / support for our Earth / our environment.
Let’s Hope the weather clement?