Most street art and graffiti enthusiasts have heard of the artist Smug, and Glasgow city centre has been adorned with a captivating mural immortalising his creative flair. Set to be completed this July, the mural is “especially meaningful for the artist, whose first major commission was also in Merchant City”.
Located at The Social Hub, the mural is titled ‘ Make Time For What Matters’, and was commissioned by the hotel itself. The street art piece is delivered in partnership with Yardworks, SWG3’s internationally recognised street arts programme, as well as the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council, and created by the artist Smug.
Originally from Australia, Smug has long been based in Glasgow, and is widely recognised for his photorealistic murals, including the modern portrait of St Mungo on High Street, which is one of the most noteworthy murals in Glasgow, adored by thousands of visitors each year.
The new ‘Make Time For What Matters’ mural “celebrates the stories, spirit and shared heritage of the local community, shaped through public consultations held over the past year”.
Smug commented regarding his new mural: “I’ve worked a lot in Merchant City over the years and have enjoyed adding new work. The new piece is rooted in local stories. Through a series of consultations in this area, the concept of the mural developed from a brief based on what came through: stories of heritage, community pride, culture and change.”
“It’s always a balance, making sure everyone’s voices are represented while still creating something visually powerful. I’ve tried to reflect something powerfully honest and bold – something that feels like Glasgow. If it sparks a moment of reflection or conversation, then I feel this has been achieved.
“The opportunities I’ve had here have been foundational in my career. It’s nice to have the chance to add something of this monumental scale now, to contribute again and bring something fresh to both the neighbourhood and the mural trail.”
He added: “Glasgow has always had a strong graffiti and street art culture. It’s raw, expressive, and usually speaks to what’s going on in society.
“My journey started with graffiti and is very much intertwined between the two subcultures. Murals build on that graffiti tradition but also offer a different kind of platform. They allow for bigger, bolder statements that can speak to a wide audience.
“Collaborations like this make space for storytelling. This one is a huge statement piece both in scale and subject matter, and I’m happy to be making it happen.”