WELL jings, crivvens and help ma boab — Oor Wullie has been given a flower child makeover!
The first of 50 statues for Dundee’s forthcoming Oor Wullie Bucket Trail is on display after being adorned with local artist Suzanne Scott’s design.
The sculptures will be placed around the city this summer, carrying a variety of designs, but first to have a go was Suzanne (pictured left). She has been recruited as the artist co-ordinator for the project and her first job was to paint the sculpture on-site, in the foyer of the Apex Hotel at City Quay.
“It was a great moment — but nerve-racking too — it was the first time I’ve ever painted live,” she said.
“But I get to draw an Oor Wullie for a city, not many people get to say that.”
Sculptures are waiting patiently to be individually painted by both artists and celebrities, once all designs have been submitted.
The deadline was today and Suzanne expected some final designs to be sent in for consideration.
She said: “There’s been so much interest shown — way more than we could have anticipated — and it’s going to be very difficult to make decisions.
“A large panel is going to decide the final artists but I’m hoping there will be textiles, mosaics, fine art, as many mediums as possible.
“And if there are any sculptures chosen, Oor Wullie may even be given a different face. It’s very exciting.”
Referring to the famous tagline “Oor Wullie! Your Wullie! A’body’s Wullie!” Suzanne said that this was “My Wullie”, a design inspired by her experience of the city and its people.
She added: “I’ve called him ‘The adventure of discovery never ends’ as this guy is all about exploring Dundee and its heritage. The images appearing on Oor Wullie’s clothes and bucket represent his adventures as he has fun exploring the city.
“I’ve linked him in, thematically, with the Discovery Walk project as well — and it’s just great to see people already getting hyped about it, it’s fantastic.
“If one statue is creating this amount of interest, then imagine what 50 are going to do.”
Suzanne hopes that there will be a lot of local artists involved.
She said: “To get through will be a big deal as there have been so many submissions that it’s going to be a coveted thing.
“The guys in the hotel are really supportive and excited and so many guests and children have been asking what’s going on.”
Emma Parkhill, a guest service agent at the Apex, said: “There’s been lots of attention for him —guests and children love him.
“We’ve been enjoying watching the project develop.
“Every time I’m working there’s been something new added.”
The 25-year-old from the West End added that more than £1,000 has already been raised by the hotel for the Archie Foundation — the benefactor of the project.
She said: “We’re actively fundraising and people are showing real interest in the whole project.
“I think we’ll try to keep hold of one.”
The trail will be Tayside’s largest ever public arts event.
The project will raise crucial funds for the Archie Foundation’s Tayside appeal, which is raising £2 million to help create a new, twin-operating surgical suite for Tayside Children’s Hospital at Ninewells.
It’s a collaboration between the foundation, DC Thomson and Wild in Art.
A series of companies and individuals are set to sponsor the statues.