Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 27 on 09/06/2006.

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Big Mac

With Scotland set to honour Charles Rennie Mackintosh with a major festival, Mark Nicholls looks at his legacy

Like so many creative talents, the true value of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s work was not fully appreciated during his lifetime.

For the famed architect, artist and designer, it would be decades before his work began to have a major impact. And even then, it was a battle to preserve it with some of his buildings in Glasgow coming under threat of demolition as the regeneration of the city gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s.

Fortunately, the buildings were retained as organisations such as the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society highlighted their architectural, cultural and aesthetic values.

Now the work of Mackintosh is renowned, lauded and regarded as a major asset to Glasgow and beyond. The buildings have many admirers, while his furniture and paintings are the inspiration for a new generation of artists and fetch ever soaring prices at auction.

Throughout this summer, reaching a climax in September, the life and work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is being celebrated with the Glasgow Mackintosh Festival 2006. More than 100 events in 30 different locations have been lined up as Glasgow endeavours to showcase his work to an even wider audience.

Mackintosh (1868–1928) is celebrated around the world as one of the most creative figures of the early 20th century and his home city of Glasgow houses the pre-eminent collection of his buildings, drawings and designs.

Born one of 11 children in the Townhead area of the city close to Glasgow Cathedral, Mackintosh made his sublime.....

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By Mark Nicholls

Section : Scottish Events

Page number : 64