'Transport bosses splash out £23,000 on mural for Subway' (The Glaswegian, 21/04/2011)

One of Glasgow's most famous writers and artists is to have his talents showcased underground following a link-up with the city's Subway network.

Riddrie-born Alasdair Gray's instantly-recognisable works are peppered across the city.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has approved a £23,000 deal commissioning an iconic piece of public art from Gray, which will be central to the revamp of Hillhead station.

Construction work at the west end station, which will become the flagship for SPT's wider Subway modernisation project, is to begin within the next few months.

Gray has designed a huge mural for the entire back wall of the station, intended to be instantly recognisable to passengers as they enter.

SPT's Vice Chairman David Fagan, who also convenes an external group providing the organisation with advice on art and design, said it was a great achievement to have an artist of Gray's calibre working on a design specifically for the Subway.

He added: "Alasdair Gray's work in and around Glasgow is instantly recognisable.

"As an artist, he has a strong association with the west end of Glasgow and with Hillhead in particular.

"We are delighted that he is bringing his considerable talents to the modernisation of Glasgow's Subway."