The Mackintosh-themed rose has been skilfully carved by sculptor Robert Coia with help from Pirie Park Primary pupils.

It is one of 11 intricate hand-made oak timber sculptures being installed in each of the city’s hub parks.

The 3.8 m tall rose, situated just outside the entrance to the grounds of House for an Art Lover, is fashioned from five Mackintosh roses representing the traditional European species of Old English Garden Roses.

It’s the fourth Commonwealth Legacy sculpture to be installed as part of the council’s Commonwealth Hub Parks Initiative and made entirely of recycled timber from fallen, damaged trees.

The P5 pupils designed, created and carved in plaster, their own Mackintosh rose which Robert used to create rose-shaped stepping stones which surround the base of the sculpture.

The artwork also features a bronze resin copper colour Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Legacy logo.

The parks twinning initiative links Glasgow’s green spaces with different regions and countries of the Commonwealth. There are 11 parks being used as educational hubs to allow schools to visit and find out about sustainability, nature and the environment.

Gifted sculptor, Robert, has already carved the life-sized elephant in Pollok Country Park and will carve a giant panda for Queen’s Park, a Snow Leopard for Springburn Park and a Whooper Swan for Hogganfield Loch, as well as a South Seas Tikki sculpture for the Botanic Gardens and a Native American bench for Glasgow Green.

Councillor Alistair Watson, Glasgow’s Executive Member for Transport and Sustainability, joined the pupils from Pirie Park primary and Robert for the official unveiling.  He said: “It’s hard to believe that this amazing piece of work was hand-made using the timber from damaged trees. The pupils and Robert have done a fantastic job and should be very proud indeed.

“The parks twinning initiative is about getting more people involved with our city’s parks and has helped inspire a new cultural activity among young people as they learn about different Commonwealth countries.

“As we get closer to the 2014 Commonwealth Games excitement is building across the city and the installation of these magnificent sculptures will be a lasting legacy and feature in our parks for years to come.”

The parks project is part of a legacy initiative that centres on twinning schools and parks in the city with countries of the Commonwealth. Schools visit their partner park and participate in a variety of practical, active and outdoor learning experiences alongside the Countryside Rangers.