Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project
Concept of Kentigern
Region ID | GW | |
Work ID | 97 | |
Manual Reference | AN/029 | |
Title | Concept of Kentigern | |
Sculptor | Livingstone, Neil | |
Date of design | 1972-1977 | |
Year of unveiling | 1977 | |
Unveiling details | Unveiled 8 October 1977 | |
Road | Buchanan Street | |
Precise Location | Buchanan Street, south end, outside Frasers Department Store | |
A to Z Ref | 36 K17 | |
OS Ref | ||
Postcode | G1 | |
Work is | Extant | |
Listing Status | Not listed | |
Duty of Care | Glasgow City Council | |
Commissioned by | (former) Highway Committee of Glasgow Corporation | |
Notes | ||
Representation of 'the bird that never flew' (incorporated in the arms of Glasgow), alluding to the miracle performed by St Mungo / Kentigern where he brought the headless bird back to life. Of his conception, the sculptor said " I hope it will evoke the emotions and feelings of Glasgow. I have tried to represent the city's cheerful optimism. The legend of St. Mungo [Kentigern] includes him restoring a bird to life. I hope the sculpture will stimulate people intellectually or emotionally" (1) | ||
News of the proposal to hold a competition for a sculpture as the centrepiece of the £221,000 Buchanan Street Pedestrianisation Scheme, first appeared in the press in Nov 1972. (2) In March 1973 the former Highways Committee of Glasgow Corporation agreed to the principle of installing a special feature in the proposed Buchanan Street precinct. In November 1974 a competition was launched by the Depute Director of Museums, George Buchanan, in association with the Civic Amenities Committee. The competition was open to all sculptors working in Scotland and from the initial 29 entrants, three were selected. Neil Livingstone (of Arbroath) was interviewed on 22 July 1975, and it was unanimously agreed by the selection panel [Michael Clark, James S. Morris, James H Rae and Trevor A. Walden] that he be commisioned. The sum available for promoting the competition and commissioning the winning design was £6,000, £5,000 of which was for the realisation of the winning design. The sculpture eventually cost £7,600, with the pedestal costing £1,000. The sculpture was cast in England, and its title was announced in Oct 1977. (3) The sculpture was erected under supervision of Glasgow District Council's general foreman builder, William Glen Hill. (4) On 20 Sept 1977, the work was in position and enclosed by screens in readiness for the unveiling ceremony, performed by Lord Provost David Hodge, on 8 0ct 1977 (5, 6) | ||
circa | ||
raw year | 1977 | |
Condition | Fair | |
At risk | No known risk | |
Inscriptions | On plaque on base: CONCEPT OF KENTIGERN / UNVEILED ON 8th OCTOBER 1977 BY THE / RT. HON. THE LORD PROVOST DAVID HODGE ESQ., J.P. / CITY OF GLASGOW | |
Signatures | ||
Elements
Element Details
Part of work | Material | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Sculpture | Resin bronze | |
Base | Yellow sandstone | |
Assessment of Condition
Surface Character
Detail | Comment |
|---|---|
No damage | |
Structural Condition
Structural Condition | Comment |
|---|---|
None | |
Vandalism
Vandalism | Comment |
|---|---|
Graffiti | |