Culture

Mural celebrating Mary Barbour’s legacy unveiled as a beacon for social justice in Govan

Thursday, 15 May 2025 12:09AM UTC

A vibrant new mural by acclaimed artist Jeks honours Mary Barbour’s pivotal role in Glasgow’s 1915 rent strikes, highlighting her lasting impact on housing rights and inspiring continued activism amid Glasgow’s 850th anniversary and Govan’s rich cultural heritage.

A vibrant mural celebrating the legacy of Mary Barbour was unveiled recently in Govan, Glasgow, marking a significant tribute to a pioneering figure in the struggle for housing rights. Barbour, renowned for orchestrating the 1915 rent strikes, was a formidable advocate for working-class tenants and has since become emblematic of grassroots activism in the city. This new artwork, crafted by the internationally acclaimed muralist Jeks, epitomises Barbour's enduring influence while connecting her activism to contemporary movements for justice and equality.

The mural, commissioned by SWG3’s Yardworks GRID in collaboration with Linthouse Housing Association, is part of a series celebrating the organisation's 50 years of service to social housing in the Govan area. It is also situated within the context of Glasgow's 850th anniversary celebrations, underscoring the city’s historical relationship with grassroots activism. This artwork is one of five new public murals in Govan that contribute to the growing cultural landscape, reiterating the area’s rich heritage and commitment to social justice.

Depicting a modern interpretation of Barbour, the mural features a young woman looking up towards a hopeful future, surrounded by scenes of protest. Elements like an equals sign tattooed on her neck and a thistle motif further signify themes of strength, equality, and Scottish identity. Such details were deliberately chosen to reflect Barbour's own spirit and dedication to equitable rights.

Irene C McFarlane, Chief Executive of Linthouse Housing Association, highlighted the importance of Barbour's contributions to the housing movement, stating, "Her contribution cannot be underestimated as she bravely tackled housing injustice and stood firmly on the side of tenants." This mural serves not only as a reminder of her activism but also complements the existing statue of Mary Barbour unveiled in 2018 at Govan Cross, which commemorates her pivotal role in the 1915 protests against wartime rent hikes.

Barbour's work was instrumental in shaping public policy during a turbulent historical period. Her leadership helped to galvanise tenant resistance, leading to significant legislative changes in government rent laws. The unveiling of both the mural and the statue encapsulates a broader recognition of the essential role women have played in social movements, a narrative that resonates particularly today in light of ongoing discussions about women's rights and representation.

Moreover, the area's dedication to honouring figures like Barbour highlights a conscious community effort to not only celebrate its past but also to inspire future activism. This mural, as part of Yardworks' partnership with Street Art Cities, reinforces Govan's significance in Scotland’s contemporary cultural narrative, positioning it as a hotspot for public art and activism.

As Glasgow continues to honour the contributions of figures like Mary Barbour, it also sets the stage for future generations to engage with their history and advocate for continued social justice and equality. The mural serves as both a powerful reminder of the struggle for housing rights and as a beacon of hope for ongoing movements aimed at achieving equality for all.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25163821.mural-tribute-glasgow-firebrand-mary-barbour-unveiled-govan/?ref=rss - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/mary-barbour-18751958-and-isabella-elder-18281905-345325 - This article discusses a mural commemorating Mary Barbour and Isabella Elder, located near where Mary lived during the 1915 rent strikes. Mary Barbour was a political activist, councillor, and magistrate, while Isabella Elder was a philanthropist who supported women's education and training. The mural was created as part of Yardworks GRID, supported by the UK Community Renewal Fund, delivering public art programmes across Govan, Partick, and Yorkhill. The unveiling took place on 23 March 2023.
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/3266/Mary-Barbour-statue-unveiling-to-coincide-with-International-Womens-Day - This announcement details the unveiling of a statue honouring Mary Barbour, a key figure in the 1915 rent strikes, on International Women's Day, 8 March 2018. The statue was commissioned by The Remember Mary Barbour Association (RMBA) after a successful fundraising campaign. Mary Barbour led protests against landlords who raised rents during wartime, and her efforts led to changes in government rent legislation. She was also one of Glasgow's first female councillors and magistrates.
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgows-mary-barbour-statue-unveiled-14385125 - This article covers the unveiling of a statue to Mary Barbour in Govan, Glasgow, on International Women's Day, 8 March 2018. The statue commemorates Mary Barbour's role in the 1915 rent strikes, where she led protests against landlords who increased rents during wartime. The unveiling ceremony was attended by hundreds of people, including local politicians and community leaders. The statue was funded by a £110,000 campaign led by the Remember Mary Barbour Association.
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/16074625.govan-community-celebrates-mary-barbour-statue-unveiled/ - This article reports on the unveiling of a statue of Mary Barbour in Govan, Glasgow, on International Women's Day, 8 March 2018. The statue honours Mary Barbour's leadership in the 1915 rent strikes, where she led protests against landlords who raised rents during wartime. The unveiling ceremony was attended by hundreds of people, including local politicians and community leaders. The statue was funded by a £110,000 campaign led by the Remember Mary Barbour Association.
https://fablevision.uk/projects-page/woven-in-govan/ - This article discusses the Woven Network Govan's project, which used the Mary Barbour statue outside Govan underground station to highlight the role of women as principal carers during the COVID-19 crisis. The project aimed to give voice and credit to the role of women in caring, both professionally and domestically, during the pandemic. The project was part of the Woven (Women's) Network, an arts-based initiative.
https://sghet.com/project/govans-monument-to-mary-barbour/ - This article provides a reflection on the history and significance of the Mary Barbour monument in Govan Cross, Glasgow. The monument commemorates Mary Barbour's role in the 1915 rent strikes, where she led protests against landlords who raised rents during wartime. The article discusses the unveiling of the statue on International Women's Day, 8 March 2018, and its significance to the community. It also highlights the ongoing celebrations and gatherings at the monument.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative mentions a recent unveiling of a mural, which suggests it is current. However, I could not verify the exact date of the unveiling. The reference to Glasgow's 850th anniversary celebrations and the connection to ongoing social justice movements also indicate recent relevance.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: The quote from Irene C McFarlane, Chief Executive of Linthouse Housing Association, is included, but I could not find an earlier reference to verify its original source. The quote is specific to the event and seems authentic.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from The Herald Scotland, a reputable publication known for its coverage of Scottish news. The report is factual and does not appear biased.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The details about Mary Barbour and her historical significance are well-documented, making the narrative plausible. The connection to contemporary social justice movements and the unveiling of a mural are also credible.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is plausible, originates from a reliable source, and appears to be recent. The inclusion of specific details about the mural and its context further supports its authenticity.

Mary Barbour
Govan
Housing rights
Public art
Social justice
Glasgow