Always on
This project successfully funded on 10th July 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Campaign for a statue of John Maclean
Glasgow, Glasgow City, United Kingdom
Aim
To raise the funds required to commission a life-sized, bronze public statue of the great John Maclean to be erected in Glasgow city centre.
CAMPAIGN FOR A JOHN MACLEAN STATUE IN GLASGOW
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
Welcome everyone to the campaign for a statue of John Maclean, Glasgow's famous revolutionary socialist. The campaign has been running for three years, and has successfully raised a significant proportion of the target amount - however the fundraising has still a fair way to go. As such, we are launching this year's Crowdfunder with the intention of raising the remaining funds.
Two years ago we attended a meeting with Glasgow City council's Provost in the City chambers and reached an agreement for the life sized bronze statue to be sited close to the McLennan Arch at Glasgow Green on the Saltmarket, facing the High Court and pointing.
The intended inscription of the statue will be: "I am not here, then, as the accused; I am here as the accuser of capitalism dripping with blood from head to foot." The campaign is currently seeking a new meeting with the Provost to further progress the arrangements for the statue, and updates on this will be provided on our social media accounts in due course.
Should this Crowdfunder exceed the target then the surplus will go towards funding other Maclean projects; such as a plaque, bench and ongoing literary publications.
DETAILS OF THE QUOTE
Since first obtaining the quote from Powderhall Bronze in 2023 the costs have increased by approximately 10% per year, due to rising costs in materials, energy, wages etc. Therefore the up-to-date quote is as follows:
To produce a full size clay sculpture: £24,050
To mould and cast in bronze: £28,600
Bronze base- Approx. 400mm high 600mm x 600mm footprint: £4,940
Cast bronze plaque- 500mm x 350mm: £1,430
Delivery & installation onto site/foundation: £1,950
Cost of preparing the foundation site: £2,860
Plus VAT @ 20%
TOTAL COST = £76,596
The quote for the statue has been provided by Powderhall Bronze Ltd, 18-19 West Harbour Rd, Edinburgh, EH5 1PN
https://www.powderhallbronze.co.uk/
A prominent Scottish songwriter has pledged £10K which he will donate when we are in a closer proximity to the target. Therefore, the present target for the campaign is £38,942 - and so this is the target for 2026’s fundraiser.
FUNDRAISING SUMMARY
TOTAL CAMPAIGN TARGET: £76,596
MINUS FUNDS ALREADY RAISED IN PREVIOUS CROWDFUNDERS: £27,654
MINUS THE PLEDGE BY A PROMINENT SCOTTISH SONGWRITER: £10,000
2026’s CROWDFUNDER'S TARGET: £38,942
ARTIST'S INITIAL SKETCH OF THE STATUE
WHY SHOULD YOU SUPPORT A STATUE OF JOHN MACLEAN?
John Maclean (born 24 August 1879, died 30 November 1923) was not only Scotland's greatest socialist but internationally renowned. Maclean is one of Scotland's heroes, yet the city which he called home is yet to pay the respect that is due and suitably commemorate his life and works with a public statue.
This is why we have started this campaign, as a public statue of Maclean will be a victory for the working class, a permanent thorn in the side of the British establishment, and a focal point and beacon for the changes that we want to see in Scotland; and Internationally.
The Maclean campaign is appealing for donations both large and small, so we encourage supporters to share the project on social media to raise awareness, and to promote the campaign to friends and family, inviting them to back this most worthy cause.
We wish to thank everyone who has donated in the past and everyone who donates to this Crowdfunder.
CAMPAIGN SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTACT INFORMATION
X: @MacLeanCampaign
Facebook: @MacLeanCampaign
Instagram: @johnmacleanstatuecampaign
Campaign email address and hashtag:
#MacleanCampaign
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made