A new artwork created by renowned Scottish artist Gerard M Burns will go on permanent display at Glasgow Airport next week.
The artwork was commissioned by AGS Airports to promote the historic and contemporary links between the group’s three airports and the regions they serve.
The set of three paintings will be on display in the terminal’s main departure lounge and features references to the coat of arms of each city and region served by Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports.
Children often feature in Gerard’s work and the three-panel piece entitled ‘One World Our World’ includes pupils from St Anne’s Primary School in the Gallowgate area of Glasgow. The children set to be immortalized in the artwork joined over 80 invited guests in the terminal today to preview the work ahead of its installation next week.
Gerard Burns said: “This has been an amazing project from start to finish, and has given me a chance to really push the boundaries in terms of what I'm capable of as an artist.
“The most exciting thing, however, is that from next week ‘One World Our World’ will have a life of its own and will be seen by millions of people from all around the world.’’
As one of Scotland’s leading portrait artists, Gerard has captured many of Scotland’s leading figures including former First Ministers Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, the great Doddie Weir, Billy Connolly, Brian Cox and Ewan McGregor. He is without question one of the country’s leading artists of the human condition and his uncompromising ‘Our Future’ painting created for COP26 was displayed at the airport during the global climate summit in November 2021.
Ronald Leitch, Operations Director at Glasgow Airport, said: “This project will have been nearly two years in the making from the original discussion to the final unveiling next week, so I’m thrilled that we’ll finally be able to put this stunning piece by Gerard on display to our passengers and staff.
“The location of the artwork at the beginning of the main departures area in Glasgow Airport will ensure that the millions of passengers who travel through the terminal each year can stop and wonder at how Gerard captures in such detail his young subjects from St Anne’s Primary School, who I’m pleased to say were able to join us for a sneak preview today.
“We are very proud of our links with Glasgow and Renfrewshire, and I’m sure passengers heading on their travels next week will enjoy taking time to spot the various references to the coats of arms.”