Archives and Special Collections: Culture: art, music and drama

Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928), Scottish architect, designer and artist, was one of the most creative figures of the early twentieth century. His contribution to design and architecture is still internationally recognised, celebrated and respected today. What is, however, perhaps less well known is that a small number of his works are held here at Strathclyde University Archives.

To tie in with the current Glasgow-wide Whysman Festival celebrating the work of artist, George Wyllie, this month we have picked some images from our George Wyllie Archive.

The above are a selection of posters from our extensive Strathclyde Theatre Group archive. The Group, which grew out of the University’s Department of English Studies, was founded in 1971 by Hugo Gifford, the University’s first director of drama. A radical, experimental company with a varied and challenging programme, it produced a wide variety of plays ranging from ancient Greek drama to new writing and contemporary work not otherwise seen in Scotland. The Group acted as an informal academy of theatre arts for the University, the City of Glasgow and Scotland and helped launch the careers of many actors, directors and writers.

Patrick Geddes was a key figure of the Celtic Revival in Scotland in the late 19th century. Geddes surrounded himself with artists and creative thinkers, and in 1894 the company, Patrick Geddes and Colleagues, was formed as a publishing venture based in Edinburgh. One of its first publications was ‘The Evergreen’ a seasonal almanac published in 1895-1896 which brought the Celtic Renascence to the reader through art, literature and science.

George Wyllie (1921-2012), one of Scotland’s best-loved artists and sculptors, created this towering safety pin sculpture in 1996. He designed it for Mayfest, an annual arts festival in Glasgow that ran from 1983 to 1997. The 21-foot high, stainless steel pin was constructed at the Greenock Welding Company to Wyllie’s specifications, and erected at Glasgow Cross, where it was unveiled on 2 May 1996 to mark the beginning of that year’s festival.

Here at Strathclyde University Archives we are delighted to have, in our care, two of the iconic BAFTA masks. But to whom did they belong and what led them to our archive?

The answer lies in the career of Verity Ann Lambert (1935-2007) OBE, internationally acclaimed television and film producer. Gifted to the University in 2008, the BAFTAs form a unique and integral part of the Papers of Verity Lambert (T-LAM), and are representative of an exceptional and pioneering career in the entertainment industry.