Sam Bates (aka Smug or sometimes Smug-one) is an Australian contemporary street artist of great skill who has produced high-quality murals demonstrating a photorealistic style in Glasgow and globally.
Yardworks 2024
Smug chose to revert to his writing style for this year’s festival, what looks quite simple is deceiving as his attention to detail is amazing.
Glasgow 2024
One of Smug’s regular locations is at his friend’s barber shop in Miller Street Glasgow, this time he has added an image of Glasgow’s own Rab C Nesbitt.
Frankston 2024
Created for the Frankston street art festival in 2023, this portrait of local street artist, Danny van de Wiel (aka Danny Legs), in Thompson Lane is typical of Smug’s style. I met Danny during the festival this year and he told me that he is delighted with the image, and Smug’s support of his work.
Govan 2023
For Yardworks G.R.I.D. Project, Smug created a stunning mural depicting a small girl picking up a daffodil, with scenes of Govan’s industrial heritage behind her, including an image of the great ocean liner, Empress of Britain, which was built in Govan by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company and launched in 1905.
The daffodils are inspired by the Govan-born ‘Daffodil King’ Peter Barr, whose dedication to spreading his love of the bright yellow bloom has been honoured each year since 1912 by the Royal Horticultural Society’s Peter Barr Memorial Cup.
Amsterdam 2022
Belfast 2022
Glasgow Works
Nuart and Yardworks 2019
One of the most eye-catching artworks of Nuart Aberdeen 2019 is by Smug. He created a monumental piece towering ‘The Green’ of a friend from Glasgow with his dog.
Sam was also in attendance at this year’s Yardworks, and as usual, he certainly impressed the crowds with his attention to detail.
International Works (as seen by me)
Smug describes his work on the following video, see it here.
Jim's travels 