Hope Triptych sculpture.

COP26Hope Triptych sculpture

Strathclyde welcomes Glasgow's Hope Sculptures

Steuart Padwick’s citywide public sculptures reflect on the scale of the climate emergency 

An engaging public art installation by Steuart Padwick, has been installed at three locations across Glasgow in the run-up to COP26 and beyond. The 23M high Hope Sculpture is at the woodland park of Cuningar Loop, part of Clyde Gateway, Scotland’s biggest and most ambitious regeneration programme. The 4.5M high Beacon of Hope is located at the city’s Glasgow Central Station and the 3.5M high Hope Triptych is located on campus in Rottenrow Gardens. Visitors are encouraged to access the sculptures via a walking and cycling route that connects the pieces. 

Each sculpture has been constructed using low carbon, reclaimed, recycled or sustainable materials, of which, almost all have been locally sourced. 

Strathclyde's sculpture – the ‘Hope Triptych’ – is described as a playful 3.5M-high adaptation of the Child of Hope and is composed of three colourful figures, symbolising the power of coming together. Located in our Rottenrow Gardens the triptych is made from reclaimed sheet steel with a low carbon cement-free concrete foundation.

"The most remarkable thing about this project has been collaborating with these companies and individuals," Natalie Alexopoulos, Hope Project Director, said. "Their integrity, drive and commitment to make a difference has been inspiring." 

Leading Scottish writers, poets and a Bafta winning film director, Hannah Currie, have created messages of Hope as part of the project.

Watch our video 

Message of hope

As part of the launch of the Hope Triptych sculpture on campus, a number of people welcomed the project and its aims. We caught up with Kayla-Megan Burns, Strathclyde student, former StrathUnion president and climate activist and asked her what her message of hope is.

Sculptor Padwick, who has designed several major public art installations in support of mental health, including the’Head Above Water’ sculpture on London’s South Bank, worked with Mental Health Foundation on all messaging around the Hope project and each sculpture has mental health signposting close by to offer a range of support.

Mental heath support

It’s OK to feel overwhelmed, down, or anxious about things, and it may help to talk about how you're feeling.

For free, confidential support:

For organisations that could help you with a range of worries, visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk/hope