Jolomo backs Glasgow School of Art restoration

One of Madonna’s favourite artists is canvassing support for the rebuilding of Glasgow School of Art’s (GSA) Mackintosh annex. Best-selling Argyll artist John Lowrie Morrison, known as Jolomo, from Tayvallich, spent four years at GSA. The Mackintosh building was devastated by fire, for a second time in four years, just after it had been restored. Jolomo spoke as he visited the shell of the building for the first time and became the latest to join calls for ‘the Mack’ to be rebuilt. He said: ‘It’s so sad to see it like this. It should be rebuilt and should continue to be a working art school, not just a relic that people will come and see. We can’t lose such an iconic building. I’ve spent most of my life in Argyll, the connection to Glasgow is still very strong. I think the older I get the stronger it gets.’ Jolomo spoke as he unveiled a new exhibition of paintings at the nearby Glasgow Gallery. Some of the proceeds from the show will be donated to the Mackintosh Campus Appeal, which he has supported since the first fire in 2014. Jolomo, who studied drawing and painting at GSA from 1967, added: ‘To matriculate and walk through the swing doors was like walking into another world – like going into Narnia through the wardrobe. We all loved it, it became part of our psyche.’ The new exhibition, From Glasgow to the Rough Bounds of Ardnamurchan, runs at the Glasgow Gallery, 182 Bath Street, until Saturday November 10.