Two of Glasgow’s most recognisable symbols have been brought together in a striking new public artwork to celebrate the opening of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Named The Glasgow Rose, the large-scale installation has transformed the city’s iconic Finnieston Crane, overlooking the River Clyde, with a contemporary interpretation of the famous Mackintosh rose, inspired by the work of celebrated designers Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh.
The artwork was created by Glasgow-based artist Emer Tumilty in collaboration with internationally acclaimed creative studio NEWSUBSTANCE. It combines the city’s rich industrial heritage with its renowned artistic legacy, creating a powerful visual landmark for athletes, visitors and residents during the Games.
For generations, the Finnieston Crane has symbolised Glasgow’s shipbuilding history and engineering excellence, while the Mackintosh rose has become an internationally recognised emblem of the city’s artistic identity. The installation brings these two iconic elements together for the first time, offering a bold new addition to Glasgow’s skyline.
Tumilty’s design reinterprets the traditional Mackintosh rose through a modern artistic style, using vibrant colours and abstract forms to reflect Glasgow’s creativity, resilience and constant reinvention. The commission also celebrates a new generation of Scottish artists while paying tribute to one of the country’s greatest cultural legacies.
Glasgow 2026 Chief Executive Phil Batty described the installation as much more than a piece of public art, calling it a symbol of the city’s past, present and future.
He said the Finnieston Crane represents the Glasgow that helped shape the industrial world, while the Mackintosh rose reflects the city’s global influence on art and design. Together, they create an image of a modern Glasgow that is creative, ambitious and ready to welcome the world.
Artist Emer Tumilty said the commission was a special milestone in her career, explaining that she first came to Glasgow to study at the Glasgow School of Art before making the city her home.
She expressed her pride in reimagining one of Scotland’s most famous artistic symbols on such a large scale, adding that she hopes the artwork captures Glasgow’s optimism, creativity and unique character.
Patrick O’Mahoney, Founder and Creative Director of NEWSUBSTANCE, highlighted the engineering achievement behind the installation, describing the transformation of the Finnieston Crane into a giant artistic canvas as both a technical challenge and a privilege.
City officials have also welcomed the project, describing it as another example of Glasgow’s ability to combine sport and culture on the international stage. The installation also serves as an early tribute ahead of the centenary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s death in 2028.
Visible throughout the Commonwealth Games, The Glasgow Rose forms part of the Glasgow 2026 Festival, a ten-week programme of cultural events celebrating the city’s creativity, communities and artistic spirit alongside the sporting action.
