To mark the 60th anniversary of SCIAF, GlasGogh founder Mark Armstrong created and donated a deeply symbolic painting titled Journey – a piece that traces six decades of faith, compassion and global humanitarian work.
With roots in Rutherglen, where SCIAF was founded, the project was both personal and purposeful. The idea was sparked earlier in the year at a SCIAF film launch, where Mark reconnected with the charity’s community team and began exploring how art could capture the story, spirit and impact of their work.
From the outset, Journey was conceived as a shared act of creativity. Mark worked closely with SCIAF’s community team and invited local schoolchildren from St Mark’s and Fernhill schools to take part in shaping the painting’s narrative. Through conversations, visits and workshops, the children shared what SCIAF meant to them — ideas that were later woven directly into the artwork.
At the heart of the painting stands St Columbkille’s Church, a nod to SCIAF’s beginnings in Rutherglen. From its doorway flows a river — a visual thread representing life, continuity and the charity’s mission across generations. Along its path, the painting unfolds scenes of growth, learning and renewal: children surfing, symbolising hope and opportunity; crops flourishing and animals nurtured, reflecting sustainable farming and care for creation; and the familiar SCIAF Wee Boxes transformed into places of learning, built from countless small acts of generosity.
The figures of Monsignor Rooney and teacher John McKee stand in the foreground, honouring the founders whose vision planted the first seeds of what would become a global movement. Beyond them, the landscape opens into vibrant fields and communities, representing sixty years of resilience, solidarity and shared humanity.
For Mark, Journey reflects everything GlasGogh stands for – art rooted in place, shaped by people, and driven by purpose. More than a single artwork, it is a testament to how creativity can tell powerful stories, connect generations, and shine a light on hope.
