Mother Glasgow: New public art to celebrate city's 850th anniversary to offer space for mums to breastfeed

A new work of art honouring St Enoch featuring space for mums to breastfeed is set to be created in Glasgow.

The project is part of the city’s 850th anniversary celebrations, which are taking place this year.

St Enoch is co-patron of Glasgow alongside her son St Mungo, who founded the city.

A famous mural already exists of the sixth century princess feeding her child at the corner of High Street and George Street, created by artist Smug.

Announcing news of the project, SNP councillor Annette Christie said: “In this special year of Glasgow 850 we are celebrating Glasgow’s mother – St Enoch – on July 18.”

She said as part of the work “we intend to honour St Enoch and all mothers and women across Glasgow every day with the creation of a Mother Glasgow piece of public art – a dedicated space for mothers and families with young children to feed their babies.”

Speaking at yesterday’s full council meeting, she added: “That will be co-designed with women and girls and our communities. We will create a place where Mother Glasgow nurses all her weans.”

A feminism urbanism working group are involved in the plans according to councillor Christie although the exact location has not been revealed yet.

The announcement was made as councillors discussed women’s safety in the city with a motion passed to bring in 19 actions to tackle violence against females.

Commenting further on the St Enoch inspired feature, councillor Christie said: “It will be a fun, safe environment where women feel comfortable and will help normalise breastfeeding.

“It sends a positive message for our city and women in our city.”

Ideas being suggested for the location of the “showstopping piece of art” include Glasgow Green, the St Enoch area and the old Rottenrow Maternity Hospital in Glasgow.

It could be installed next year or earlier depending on progress and some council funding has already been secured for the project. It will be co-designed with communities and schools involved. As well as a feeding space for mothers it will be a place for families to call into with their children.

Councillor Christie said the concept has emerged thanks to work taking place with Girls in Equality groups who were involved in COP26 when it took place in the city. Now there are Girls for Equality networks established in schools.

The young women have been coming up with ideas for how the environment can be improved for females.

Councillor Christie added: “Our streets were designed for men to suit their needs.”