Efforts have begun to provide a fitting gravestone for an artist who lived most of his life in an Angus asylum.
Sculptor and “outsider artist” Adam Christie died at Sunnyside Hospital in Montrose in 1950 having lived there for 49 years since the age of 32 and was buried locally in a pauper’s grave.
Local enthusiasts have called for Christie to be afforded a proper grave marker, and a fundraising CD was launched at Montrose Museum, where his work is being displayed.
The remarkable story of Christie and his life and works was meticulously researched and published by the late Ken Keddie, who was a consultant psychiatrist at Sunnyside in the 1970s.
He was so fascinated by this history he researched the life and times of Adam Christie, and found that William Lamb the renowned Montrose sculptor had taken Christie under his wing as he was impressed by his work.
Mr Keddie produced a book called the Gentle Shetlander, describing the former Cunningsburgh man’s work and artistic life. The exhibition is being promoted by Dave Ramsay, the director of the Howe o’ the Mearns Heritage Association.
He said: “Montrose Museum has rightly raised the profile of the Adam Christie story through their excellent exhibition, but I believe there is one more element to this story.
“Adam’s mother died when he was aged seven and it troubled him for many years that her grave was never marked, and he created a memorial stone to her memory.
“I believe that Adam has the self same right to be acknowledged, respected and remembered by a memorial stone.”
And Mr Ramsay has now released a single of his recording The Gentle Shetlander, and proceeds will add to a donation by the Stonehaven (Fatherland ) Burns Club, as Christie sculpted the Burns memorial at Hillside in 1930.
During his time in the hospital, Christie developed his skills as a sculptor using only a six-inch nail and a heavy old file.
The CD will be on sale from the museum or from Mr Ramsay on 01569 750730.