Stars and alumni lead tributes to ‘Mackintosh’s masterpiece’
Notable alumni of the Glasgow School of Art have led tributes to the historic Mackintosh building.
Writer Alasdair Gray ,who studied at the art school in the 1950s, described the building, built in 1899, as “Mackintosh’s masterpiece”.
He said: “It is certainly queer that the last fire wasn’t a warning against this one. I feel shock and horror. It should have been a big inspiration for any student who went there and I hope they can rebuild it again from the ground up.
“It was a unique building – Mackintosh’s masterpiece. He was one of only a few great Art Nouveau architects.”
Author Muriel Gray, chair of the board of governors at Glasgow School of Art, said: “It is an understatement to say everyone is utterly devastated but as usual the GSA executive team, staff and students have been outstanding, positive and supportive. We remain hopeful of as positive an outcome as possible because it is clear that the love for the Mackintosh and recognition of its importance to Glasgow and the wider world is shared by absolutely everyone.”
Artist and playwright John Byrne described working in the building as “heavenly”.
Franz Ferdinand singer Alex Kapranos, who attended the art school before the success of his band, tweeted: “Can’t believe what’s happening to the art school. Terrible.”
Travis bandmates Fran Healy and Dougie Payne, who also met while studying at the school, also paid tribute to the building. Healy said: “I cannot believe GSOFA is on fire again. So, so sad.”
Glasgow-born comedian Billy Connolly visited the site of the fire at the weekend. He said: “It’s horrific – just when they were getting it all back together.”
Bob Mccaffrey , 42, a graduate, former tour guide and now visiting lecturer in product design at the art school, said: “It has been a big loss to the city, it’s such a body blow.”
Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said the fire would be “sending shockwaves around the world”.
He said: “With all the restoration work going on it’s just horrendous, I can’t really believe it.
“I’ve only seen glimpses, and what the firemen are saying, reading between the lines, it looks bad. The last time they stopped it going into the east wing; this time it looks as though it’s gone from the east wing all the way through.”
Artist and TV presenter Lachlan Goudie said: “This building was part of Glasgow’s soul, a visual expression of Scottish creativity at its peak.”