Latest news with #SamBates
Glasgow Times
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
I am behind some of Glasgow's biggest murals, now I am doing a first
Smug, whose real name is Sam Bates, is accustomed to creating large pieces on the gable ends of buildings throughout the city. He's the artist behind some of the city's most recognisable artworks, such as the now-famous St Mungo mural on High Street. Smug, 42, explained: "You can't get your nose millimetres from the paint to see all the small details six storeys in the air, but you can in here." He sits proudly in Grateful Gallery in Garnethill, where eight framed works of his are hanging in his first solo art exhibit in the city. Sam Bates, known as Smug, outside Grateful Gallery (Image: Gordon Terris) READ MORE: HUGE new mural being painted in Glasgow city centre by well-known artist The show titled Dead Grateful explores the 'intersection of religion and mortality, uniting the visceral image of skeletal remains with the transcendence of faith'. Smug said: "I just like to sort of juxtapose... the core of the human being being the skeleton with the spirituality of these different monks and try and give them life. "People have this view of skeletons as being morbid and death, and I've never seen it like that. "Even though a skeleton is technically a dead thing, I think you can portray them in a way that gives them life. And I think some of these look alive..." "Skeletons, they're always smiling, you know? I don't think it needs to be this morbid and dark view of them. I think it can be fun. And skeletons are just cool." READ MORE: Artist behind Billy Connolly mural's mission to get artwork to iconic comedian He painted the artworks, which show various monks and religious acolytes as skeletal figures, around two or three years ago. Smug said: "The idea was of presenting a series of paintings incorporating themes of religion, death, and spirituality. "I've included broadly three different monk themes: the Christian monks, the warrior monks like the Shaolin and the Sohei, and the Buddhist and Tibetan monks as well." The work focuses on the Australian-born artist's fascination with bones, skeletons and all things unseen about anatomy. He explained: "I've always been fascinated with skulls and bones and like anatomy and not like a gory, gross, psychopathic way... It's just fascinating because it's a part of the body that we never see. "It's an anatomical thing for me, and I've always been fascinated. "I grew up on a farm, so we get a lot of animal sort of remains lying around, and I would always collect them, and my family would think I'm a bit weird." Glasgow mural artist Smug puts on first free gallery show (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) READ MORE: New mural appears by iconic artist in area that feels 'like Spain or Italy' Smug added: "It's fascinating seeing the areas of a skull or bones where the nerve sort of travels through or where the tendons are attached, and then where the muscles sit. It's just interesting to me." "Every skeleton, unless you're an expert, generally looks the same. "They're raceless, they're genderless, because we're all kind of the same, you know, and kind of like that. I think it adds a bit of romance to them." Smug settled in Scotland in the early 2000s and has since cemented himself as Glasgow's mural master. He explained that he's always felt an affinity with the city: "I'm from a small town south of Sydney. "I'm from a really working-class, rough little town. So I acclimatised here really quickly. "The Scottish humour, especially Glaswegian humour, is really similar to the Australian sense of humour that I have, that dry, satirical wit. "So, it did feel like home." Smug's been working on a huge new mural in the city centre (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Government intervene in Glasgow O2 ABC site plans over risk to Art School He credits the move to Scotland with giving him opportunities, saying he was "already addicted to painting" when he moved here, but the paid work and support here is something that he's "unsure he would have got in Australia." Smug recognises the importance of his work's impact on the city skyline, but is always "blown away" by the reaction he gets. He said: "It's weird because I would never anticipate that it would be as celebrated as much as it is. And for me, I was just painting, it's what I do." One of the pieces, titled 'Faith', is being auctioned off, with half of the funds going to Calton Athletic Recovery Group, which they describe as 'an immensely significant Glasgow charity helping people with drug and alcohol addiction through their unique approach to abstinence and recovery.' One of Smug's most famous mural of St Mungo on High Street (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) READ MORE: Glasgow residents 'vindicated' as council make this move over drug problem Grateful Gallery was founded in June 2025 by Glasgow artists OhPandah, Conzo and Ciaran Globel. They said: "We have all known Smug for years, he's one of the best in the world, so it's a massive honour to show his work in the gallery. "This is our first ever solo show, so it's incredible to show such awe-inspiring work by an artist who's at the top of his game and globally recognised within our culture. "We really appreciate Smug showing with us so early on in our journey, and we hope to have him back in the future along with so many other artists who have inspired us over the years." The show is open now until August 3, and is free to attend. Grateful Gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday.
BBC News
17-04-2025
- BBC News
Nuneaton drink driver jailed for killing passenger in crash
A drink driver, who lost control of her vehicle on a bend killing her passenger, has been jailed for two Bannister, 29, of Chaytor Drive, Nuneaton, was driving a Mercedes GL50 along Coppice Lane, near Tamworth, on 15 November 2023, when she crashed into a passenger in her car, a 33-year-old man from Cheshire, sustained serious injuries and died the following 29-year-old, who had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving when unfit through drink, was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on Friday. Bannister was also banned from driving for five years. Det Con Sam Bates from Warwickshire Police said: "Chloe Bannister's irresponsible and reckless actions on the night of the collision have left a family heartbroken with the loss of their son, brother and uncle." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
