Ross Wilson attended Glengormley High School during the 1970s. He went on to study Fine Art at the University of Ulster and at the Chelsea College of Art and Design. He and has often been a visiting speaker at Harvard University and the University of Oxford.
In 1997 his first public sculpture commission in bronze (The Ulster Brewer) was placed at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. He was commissioned for the centenary C. S. Lewis Sculpture in 1998, placed in east Belfast. His many portrait commissions have included Nobel Laureates Derek Walcott and Seamus Heaney, and the playwright Arthur Miller. His work is displayed across the world among several public and private collections.
On Monday 18th June Ross spent the day with a range of our GCSE and A Level students telling them about his life, work and advising them on their own Art. To have Ross return to the place where he states his ‘journey started’, was an absolute privilege for both the students and staff who spent the day with him.
Ross attributes the success he has had to Sheila Doris his Art teacher who recognised the talent that he had and inspired him to follow his dream.
Mrs Doris changed my life, I still remember the moment where she had a 4 minute conversation with me in a corridor and I could see exactly what I needed to do, it changed my life
The students were inspired by this unassuming man who took a genuine interest in helping them progress and follow their journey, in the same way that Mrs Doris helped him.
Ross is the epitome of modesty, humility and honesty. He is as comfortable in the company of royalty, the President of the United States and several noble peace prize winners as he is amongst high school students. His passion for creativity is infectious. His message to our students was
follow your dreams, don’t let anything stand in your way, if I can do it so can you!
In September we launch a new House System. The houses will be named after people from the province that the students should aspire to. They have not only been selected for their success in their fields but also for their character. It is no surprise therefore that one of the houses will be named ‘Wilson’. Welcome home Ross!