Glasgow graffiti artist Rogue One has unveiled his latest art work, a character from cult classic The Lost Boys.
Underneath the motorway of the M8, the portrait of Keifer Sutherland took Rogue One four hours.
Rogue, or Bobby McNamara, said: “I do a lot of commission work so it’s good to sometimes just do something I fancy painting. I’d watched The Lost Boys recently and been listening to Cry Little Sister from the movie.
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“Under the motorway is covered in graffiti so I think it’s fair game to spray there, but maybe I’ll have the cops at door now.” He laughs.
Bobby grew up in Darnley and says making a living from art was not something he thought would be on the agenda.
(Image: First Bus)
“I was a rambunctious kid and didn’t pay much attention at school, but I always loved art and was the only thing I’d put my head down for. When I was at school I first got my hands on spray paint and started tagging and that led to doing bigger and bigger pieces.
“My pals and I would find abandoned factories and buildings and realised we could spend time working on bigger pieces and not be chased away. There was no internet to get tips on how to spray so it was trial and error.”
While studying graphic design at college, Bobby was approached to do a mural in the student union.
“It was the first time I was ever paid for my work and I thought this is pretty cool, maybe I can make a bit of cash doing this. But I never thought I would be able to make it my career.”
(Image: Beechwood Veterinary Centre)
Rogue One’s work can be seen all over Glasgow, from a French Bulldog enjoying bubbles in Renfield Lane to a series of murals at The Clutha. His work was commissioned by Glasgow City Council to be part of a mural trail around the city and did a portrait of Billy Connolly to recognise the comedian’s 75th birthday.
Amongst his favourite pieces are a puppy and kitten in a box he did for a Ballieston vet practice and a huge portrait for William Wallace in Lanark.
“The taxi floating with balloons on Mitchell Street is also a favourite, the building was owned by a woman whose husband had been a taxi driver and he had passed away so I was asked to incorporate a taxi into the design. That must be my most photograhed work and it’s one people tell me they love the most.
“My mum was a huge Charles Rennie Macintosh fan so when I was asked to do his portrait beside The Clutha, that was pretty special too.”
Rogue One’s art has taken him all over the world to paint and even caused some controversy. A mural of a witch in Pittenweem was ordered to be painted over after complaints. The Fife village accused local women of witchcraft in the 1700s and held a witch trial.
Bobby painted a mural of a witch on the side of a fish and chip shop building but locals complained and eventually the council decided it had to go.
“I really liked the witch, it was darker than my usual work and the building owners liked it. But some locals thought it looked too scary and didn’t want the village’s witch trial past put out there. They complained enough that the council said it had to go.”
Street art has rocketed in popularity in recent years, with Glasgow having it’s own dedicated graffiti festival every May at SWG3 Yardworks, bringing artists from all over the world, and giving each a space to spray and thousands attend to watch the artists work.
“The street art scene in Glasgow is good, there are a lot of talented artists. You’ve got Smug, Be More Sketch, Mack Colours, Molly Hankinson and Frodrik all creating amazing work.
“Spraying is becoming more popular and I get kids telling me all the time they want to be a street artist. When I was young there was no such job, it’s crazy to think doing graffiti back in Darnley would lead to making this my career.”
Rouge One is fundraising for homeless charities by auctioning canvases. You can find out more on Instagram.
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