Neon Thistles – A Tribute to Scotland’s Spirit Through Street Art

I'm incredibly proud to share my recent public artwork created as part of Yardworks "Outside the Box" Commission. I'mtruly grateful for this honour to participate in it. This project gave me the exciting opportunity to bring my artwork into the streets blending bold visual elements with deeply Scottish-rooted symbolism.

The artwork itself is a celebration of resilience, identity, and community spirit — themes that run deeply through both my personal practice and Scotland’s cultural fabric.

At the heart of the mural is the Scottish thistle, our national flower. The thistle thrives in even the harshest conditions, making it a perfect metaphor for the strength and endurance of the Scottish people. By placing it front and centre, I wanted to honour that resilience in the face of an ever-changing cityscape.

On each side of the box, there are  two powerful phrases rendered in neon-style spray paint:

• “Together We All Thrive” – a reminder that unity and community lift us all.

• “Alba Gu Bràth” – the Gaelic for “Scotland Forever”, a timeless declaration of national pride.

This mural blends street art techniques — spray paint, stencils, layering — with cultural motifs that reflect Scotland’s past and present. The neon aesthetic is a nod to modern city life, while the stencilled thistle connects us back to something ancient and enduring. Together, they create a contrast that mirrors Glasgow’s urban grit and constant transformation.

As I did paint this on a windy day, I didn't have to stop my stencils from blowing halfway down the street more than a few times so whilst I was painting I was also getting my cardio in.

This isn't just a temporary mural — it's a permanent piece of public art, now installed and visible to the people of Glasgow. The chance to contribute something lasting to the streets I love is truly an honour, and I’m so grateful to Yardworks and the community panel for making this happen.

If you are interested in going to see it, it is located on Kelvinhaugh St, Glasgow