
It’s with huge sadness and incredulation that this has happened again this June. The devastating news that the Art School’s Mackintosh building has burned down a second time came as a huge shock to everyone. It’s not the first time the McAteer team have shed tears over this building and been dumbfounded at the ferocity of what has happened. Sadly the fire this time was even more consequential raising a host of questions, not least of all, “what happens now?”.
Over the last sixteen years, we have we have had the privilege to photograph with the Glasgow School of Art. We have documented many of their highlights and celebrations held in the iconic building designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh; however, photographs can never recreate the smell, buzz and energy inside ‘The Mack’ during term time. The Mackintosh building was a unique place of learning for many great artists and designers. Alan was in the semi-completed library only the week before, photographing the progress of the renovation and, although not complete, the images show a stunning and special interior. There is no doubt this second fire has afforded Scotland and the world a huge loss but the Glasgow School of Art has faced this horrendous situation before and we’ve no doubt that with support and enthusiasm and Scotland’s infamous grit, The Mack will once again host a new generation of supertalent.