Iconic Clyde Clock to be cleaned up

The sculpture is currently covered in junk

Author: Rebecca KerrPublished 19th May 2023
Last updated 19th May 2023

A team of volunteers are set to give the Clyde Clock a much-needed clean up on Sunday.

The sculpture, based outside Buchanan Bus Station, was commissioned by Radio Clyde in 1999 to celebrate our 25th anniversary.

It has built up an unsightly collection of stickers and junk over the years but the cleaning crew hope to give it a new lease of life.

What is the Clyde Clock?

The clock was made by Shettleston-born artist George Wyllie.

It stands - quite literally - at 20 feet tall, with its two metal running legs beneath its clock face.

Also known as the Running Clock, it symbolises time flying and people rushing around. It chimes once a day at 8pm, as Wyllie thought this was 'the perfect time to meet'.

George Wyllie died on 15th May 2012 aged 90.

Willie Sutherland, artist and curator of the George Wyllie Exhibition, is leading the clean up to honour the artist's legacy.

In need of a spring clean

He hopes that scraping off the mess will bring more attention to the sculpture, as well as its creator whom he deems 'a national hero'.

He said: "It's the perfect time for a spring clean - it's all part of spreading the message about George.

"Going out and getting my hands dirty, getting up close with his artworks, it's just a further connection with the man and the message, also his love for Glasgow and the whole of the Clyde coast.

"Certainly for me, he's a national hero and I just hope we do a good job."

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