GEORGE WYLLIE 1921-2012 Sculptor who created some of Glasgow's best-loved landmarks dies aged 90

INTERNATIONALLY renowned artist, sculptor and writer George Wyllie has died at the age of 90.

The Glasgow-born creator of the straw locomotive and the paper boat died in hospital in Inverclyde on Tuesday night.

He had been recovering from a viral infection when he suffered a heart attack.

His elder daughter Louise said: "He really did live a life less ordinary. There was no-one else like him and I suspect there never will be."

Mr Wyllie, who was born in Shettleston, and who always described himself as a 'scul?tor', was made an MBE in 2005 for services to the arts

His work famously included the Straw Locomotive, which was suspended from Glasgow's Finnieston crane before it was taken to Springburn and cremated, and an 80ft long Paper Boat, which made headlines on both sides of the Atlantic when it travelled from Scotland to New York and back again.

Arts writer Jan Patience, who chairs the Friends of George Wyllie, said: "George was a remarkable artist who reached out beyond the confines of the art gallery scene and connected with real people all over the world through his thought-provoking art.

"He had the knack of making you ask questions, of not accepting the status quo. His mind was constantly enquiring, and his art was constantly pushing out barriers. That is his legacy."

Tributes were also paid on Twitter.

Writer Pat Kane said Mr Wyllie was 'the most profoundly playful man I ever met'.

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, wrote: "Sad to hear about the death of George Wyllie an artist who connected with the public, questioning and making us think – his legacy will live on."

Glasgow Print Studio tweeted that Mr Wyllie was 'one of Scotland's finest artists.'

Mr Wyllie was born on Hogmanay, 1921 and was raised in the Craigton area of the city.

He had a bursary to attend Allan Glen's School in Glasgow, but only went there for three years because he found the travelling up to the city every day too much, and he attended Bellahouston Academy instead.

He initially trained as a Post Office engineer before joining the Royal Navy when the Second World War broke out.

In 1945 he and his shipmates visited the Japanese city of Hiroshima, which had been devastated by an atomic bomb two months earlier.

His experience in Hiroshima was to have a lasting impact on his life and also on his career as an artist.

After the war, Mr Wyllie worked as a customs and excise officer in Glasgow, Prestwick and Ireland, and he and his wife Daphne brought up their daughters, Louise and Elaine, in Gourock.

"It was a great job for me," he later said.

"I was paid to go around asking questions and be an observer. It was the finishing school of my education."

In 1965 he decided to embark on a career in art.

This year a major retrospective of his work was being held to coincide with his 90th birthday, which was led by the Whysman Festival.

His daughters set up The Friends of George Wyllie after he went into a care home in Greenock last year.

Louise said: "My father was delighted at all the developments which the Friends of George Wyllie have made in the last year in establishing his legacy.

"I am so glad now that he saw the start of what is a year of celebration."

By Russell Leadbetter