A FAMILIAR Inverclyde face who created a world-famous piece of public art when he was just 10 years old says storytelling is at the heart of creativity.
RIG Arts co-founder Jason Orr describes himself as a fine artist, sculptor, production designer, art director, and propmaster.
In 1979, after he and his school pals had been on a visit to Scotland Street School Museum, they found themselves outside the old Stirling Library in Glasgow which is now the Gallery of Modern Art.
Jason grabbed a traffic cone, scaled the Duke of Wellington statue, and planted the cone on Wellington's head - making him the creator of the now iconic scene.
The artist said: "It had stirrups and a sword at that time so it was easier to climb up and down!
"At Scotland Street School that day, we learned that if we were naughty in school at that time, we would get a dunce's cap, and that really struck a chord with me.
"I was annoyed that the Duke of Wellington wore a golden fleece as I thought it should only be Jason from Jason and the Argonauts that wore a golden fleece.
"Storytelling has always been a big part of my life, and I never limit myself as an artist."
Jason was born in Paisley in 1969 and brought up in Glasgow’s southside.
He knew he wanted to be an artist from the age of three after his grandfather James Sherlock took him to all of the libraries and galleries in Glasgow.
Jason attended St Albert's and then St Mirin's primary schools in Glasgow and in both schools, he was taught by Billy Connolly's sister Mrs Dickson, meaning that he got to meet the Big Yin on two occasions.
He said: "Billy was amazing.
"He was in his big banana boots era and I knew all about the boots as I'd been to the People's Palace.
"He showed a part of Glasgow and being Scottish I agree with and aspire to: that it's not that bad and it's a beautiful place.
"He definitely helped me develop my love of storytelling and is definitely an idol in some respects."
Jason's love of art continued at Holyrood Secondary School, before he went on to study fine art and art environmental art, specialising in sculpture, at Glasgow School of Art in 1988.
In his first year at art school, he won the top student award and also met the love of his life Karen, who he co-founded RIG Arts with.
At university, Jason created a life-size model of himself made from books that were destined to be destroyed as a comment on the death of libraries and sustainability.
Jason also gained a postgraduate qualification in fine art from a university in Poland.
Alongside creating his own artwork, Jason has been working in art departments in television and film in a variety of roles for the last 25 years.
In 2014, he was field of play prop manager for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and got to work with Kylie Minogue, Rod Stewart, and Susan Boyle.
Jason said: "The scale of it was just crazy.
"It was amazing to work with so many people to create that one moment in time."
Jason became art director at River City eight years ago, and has been involved in the BBC Hogmanay show for three years.
He said: "Twenty five years ago I was making rubber shotguns and fake overdose needles for Taggart.
"You never know when new opportunities will come in and set you on a different path.
"I get a real buzz from working with a whole range of really famous and creative people.
"It really makes you raise your game."
Jason and his wife Karen started RIG Arts 14 years ago at the old Pottery Street School, and one of the first exhibitions was of George Wyllie's work.
Jason said Inverclyde is 'so lucky' to now have The Wyllieum and hopes to have an exhibition there next year.
Setting up RIG Arts has helped Jason and Karen follow their passions of supporting film-making and music, and creating art.
Jason praised his wife Karen, drummer and tutor Lesley McLaren, singer songwriter Carla Easton, and filmmaker Chris Fallen for their continued support.
He said: "We have an amazing team of creative people here and they're the key to our success.
"I'm surrounded by amazing artists and I'm honoured to be part of it.
"I have a vision that Inverclyde should have a film studio, art studio, and music studio all under one roof; somewhere we can teach, train, and nurture.
"I am passionate about Inverclyde and what we have here, and I think any Inverclyde young person who is creative and knuckles down can make it.
"Telling stories through art is fundamental to who I am, and I never stop."
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