Andy Scott
b 1964, Springburn, Glasgow
About the artist
Andy Scott studied sculpture at Glasgow School of Art. He has created over 70 public sculptures and
architectural details for buildings. He has worked all over the world with works as far afield as Belfast and
Brisbane, Scotland and Spain. Many of these have involved extensive consultations with community groups and
schools, and this has helped the works become popular with the broad public.
Andy believes that it is important that the subjects in his work are instantly recognisable. He wants the
‘immediate acceptance and appreciation’ of passing motorists as well as ‘the considered appraisal and
ownership of frequent viewers and local residents’. Animals are a recurring theme in the artist’s work.
Heavy Horse (1997) Galvanised steel rods, 4.5 m, M8 Sculptures © Andy Scott
About the work
Heavy Horse is a monumental and eye-catching sculpture. Its sheer scale dominates the environment in which it
is sited. Due to the thinness of the metal rods it appears like a three-dimensional drawing in space. The metal
rods are interwoven to create a strong sense of form and texture as they cross-hatch around the contours of the
shape.
The horse appears to be both solid, because of its shape and scale, yet fragile at the same time. The mane
along the back of the horse’s neck has been decorated – it stands up proud in small sections. Similarly the tail
has been arranged decoratively. This suggests that the horse has been dressed up in preparation for a
celebration.
Context
www.educationscotland.org.uk/marksonthelandscape
Heavy Horse came about as a result of the artist entering an open competition for a public artwork for the M8
motorway between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The chosen site, which is only a few miles from the centre of
Glasgow has provided the main inspiration for the work. Andy sees the horse as a metaphor for the city of
Glasgow. The particular breed, the Clydesdale, is a working horse, originally bred for use in agriculture and the
steel industry but here it is dressed up for a show. Similarly, Glasgow has been a working city and is now
sometimes considered a ‘show’ city with a focus on culture and leisure.
Andy strives to create works that ‘operate on varying levels of interpretation’ and in this case there are also
references to the surrounding heavy goods transport, agriculture and the steel industries.
Materials and processes
Andy begins by preparing sketches for his clients. When the idea is agreed, he draws the outline shape on
the floor of his studio to create the basic
framework onto which the more intricate details
are welded. His method is not always planned
out and he can sometimes make changes and
additions as he is constructing the actual piece.
The sheer size of the works dictates his process
and the development of the
forms. Andy often employs contractors,
particularly when he needs assistance
with galvanization and installation of the
work on site.
© David Dalziel
www.educationscotland.org.uk/marksonthelandscape