George's nappy pin

George Wyllie is ninety years old. His family decided to mark the occasion by holding a retrospective of his work at the Collins Gallery, Strathclyde University, Glasgow. We went there today, and thoroughly enjoyed a display of some of his more unusual sculptures along with a good selection of photographs, newspaper cuttings, writings and musings in his own hand.

George Wyllie is from Gourock, West coast of Scotland. He is best known for his thoughtful, amusing and idiosyncratic sculptures. One such, is a giant stainless steel nappy pin, a homage to Rottenrow Maternity Hospital, Glasgow. It was placed on the original site of the hospital in 2004.

The hospital itself was built in 1860 and closed in 2001. In its day it was renowned for its clinical excellence and the pioneering work in the caesarean section. Today, the area is a landscaped terraced garden within Strathclyde University Campus.