Alasdair Gray, Scottish Writer and Artist Known for Lanark and Murals, Dies at 85

On 29 December 2019, Alasdair Gray, a renowned Scottish author and artist, passed away. He is best known for his literary works, such as the 1981 novel Lanark and the 1992 Whitbread Novel Award-winning Poor Things. Gray also pursued a career in visual arts, having trained as a muralist at the Glasgow School of Art, where he graduated in 1957. His artistic endeavors included creating around 33 pieces that captured the essence of Glasgow, commissioned by curator Elspeth King in 1977. Gray's murals can be found at Hillhead subway station and the Òran Mór arts venue. A retrospective at Glasgow's Kelvingrove museum in 2014 showcased his evolution from the 1950s to the late 1970s. His works are part of prestigious collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. In a 2015 New Yorker interview, critic Gavin Miller highlighted Gray's pivotal influence in reshaping the literary landscape of Glasgow during the 1980s and 1990s.