A former soldier has used his experience of war to create a moving piece of art.
Richard Gibson, 77, from Carnoustie is studying for an HND in contemporary art practice at the Dundee and Angus College in Arbroath.
Mr Gibson, who has eight grandchildren, goes to the Arbroath campus two-and-a-half days a week after previously completing his National Certificate and HNC.
He may only have taken up his college studies in recent times but he has spent 40 years enjoying art in one form or another.
Mr Gibson is a founder member of the Dibble Theatre in Carnoustie and worked on set design as well as treading the boards.
Originally from Dundee, Mr Gibson was brought up during the Second World War before serving as a signalman in Malaya during national service.
He said: “A group of American soldiers were stationed in Dundee during the war and our family put them up.
“Two of them slept in my bedroom with all their equipment and ammunition while I slept in the kitchen it was something that never left me.
“My parents actually stayed in correspondence with the soldiers after the war and they were pen pals.
“Then when I was 18 I went to Malaya and was stationed in Kuala Lumpur but although it was a wonderful adventure I didn’t see any hot war.”
Mr Gibson returned home from Malaya and worked as a telephone engineer before moving into management until his retiral.
But his experience of war stayed with him and now it has influenced his latest piece, which is hanging in the Arbroath campus.
The piece is called, “Imagine, if you can, a world without war,” which takes its inspiration from John Lennon’s 1971 song.
Mr Gibson added: “You watch how the world moves on but you are never without war. This last century has seen war on a huge scale.
“Even after witnessing the carnage of two world conflicts and countless other aggressions, we are still involved in fighting, for example, in Afghanistan. For this piece I was inspired by John Lennon’s hit song Imagine from 1971.
“It says it all really.”
The piece features 12 symbols associated with conflict and Mr Gibson said he is proud of the finished article.
Married for 55 years to Betty, the couple have three grown-up children including daughter Carole Storm, who is a well-known textile artist.
Mr Gibson said he is loving every minute of his time at Dundee and Angus College, which has introduced him to many new people.
He said: “For me, college has two sides to it the education and the social aspect. I’ve enjoyed meeting people from different ages and backgrounds. There are 16 and 17-year-olds and middle-aged people who are having a change-of-life experience.
“I’m a pretty sociable person and it’s been wonderful to get to know so many new people.”
Mr Gibson also paid tribute to his wife Betty. He said he would not be able to go to college without her love and support.