An impressive new mural has just been completed on the wall of University Centre on Cathedral Street in Glasgow.
The artwork is the latest of a series of murals designed and installed by care experienced young people across Scotland.
The project was delivered by Articulate Cultural Trust, an arts charity who works every day to activate change that improves the lives of marginalised young Scots. The Glasgow mural is the newest in a series of murals that will form the first themed, nationwide mural trail of its kind in the UK.
The huge piece of public art has been completed by Artisan Artworks who worked with young people over the course of a year to develop their skills in mural painting and to design a mural that elevates their voices and shares their views in line with The Promise and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The project is designed to spotlight the talents of young people with experience of care and to challenge stigma and discrimination faced by many young people.
Call to action
‘The future is ours to change’ is the tagline that runs across part of the six panel mural which also features portraits of two young people who act as Creative Changemakers for Articulate.
The mural has been described as a call to action for passers-by to think about positive change and the role that we can individually or collectively take in calling for and enabling societal improvement. ‘The powers is yours’ panel references the responsibility we each have to do what we can to #keepthepromise.
The mural references the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular Article 31 which is the right to lead a cultural life. Articulate believes that access to culture and the arts can be truly life changing for those who have had adverse experiences in their childhood.
Fantastic capabilities
Incoming student Michael Archibald, who is studying the BA Psychology degree course starting September 2023, is featured on the mural.
He said: “This mural represents care experienced voices across Scotland through the ages, shown through the stylisation of each panel. The project was led by a team of young people, including myself, and was created through the help of professionals that took our ideas and made them into a reality. It displays the creativity and fantastic capabilities of our young people across Scotland and gets people talking more about care experienced folk.
“The faces on the mural are there to show that we aren't afraid of who we are and that we as a generation are the face of this city's future. I'm definitely excited to see what comes next.”
Deborah Duncan, Senior Widening Access Support Officer, said: “When Articulate approached us asking for permission to site the mural on our property we were delighted to agree.
“As a socially progressive University we are committed to helping care experience individuals access higher education through our Strathclyde Cares programme, which provides students with a named care experience advisor, mentoring, support with digital inclusion and help with accommodation and graduation costs among other things.”