Brad Pitt joins campaign for Mackintosh building

Actors Brad Pitt and Peter Capaldi have given their support to a £20 million fundraising campaign for the restoration of Glasgow School of Art’s fire-damaged Mackintosh building.

Brad Pitt is a high-profile fan of Rennie Mackintoshs work. Picture: Getty

The Hollywood A-lister and the Doctor Who star are becoming trustees of the institution’s newly launched appeal.

Flames engulfed the Grade A-listed building on 23 May, leading to the loss of around a tenth of the structure and 30 per cent of its contents.

Art school bosses now want to restore the structure – 
designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh more than a century ago – to its former glory.

While they have already received donations and offers of support from around the world, the new Mackintosh Appeal has been established with a view to reaching the eight-figure target.

Pitt, whose interest in architecture is well known, becomes one of a dozen trustees of the Mackintosh Appeal.

He is a high-profile fan of Rennie Mackintosh’s work and, when filming World War Z in Glasgow, he took time out to visit visited another of the architect’s designs, Hill House in 
Helensburgh.

Scots actor Capaldi, a graduate of the GSA, recalled memories of his time at the art school. He said: “There is no greater symbol of the artistic spirit of Scotland than the Mackintosh Building.”

Capaldi has recorded a special message for current students at the institution. He said: “I’m so sorry for all of you who have lost your degree shows. All I can say to you is that you are artists. This will only add to your story. You will be reborn, and rise from the ashes even stronger.”

GSA director Professor Tom Inns yesterday told MSPs that restoration could cost £20-£35m and take up to four years.