The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Artist’s tribute to much-loved late Groucho’s owner ‘Breeks’
STREET ART: Mural of record store founder who passed away in July
A graffiti artist has paid a poignant tribute to legendary Tayside music store boss, Alastair “Breeks” Brodie.
Dundee United fan Breeks has been immortalised in a mural in the Tayview Community Garden on Dundee’s Robertson Street.
Artist Symon Mathieson, aka Syke, said he wanted to show his respect for the Groucho’s store owner, who died in July.
The lifelike drawing of Breeks – who opened his first store in Dundee in 1976 – took four hours to complete.
Symon said he has loved the shop all his life.
He said: “My decision to paint the piece was probably the same reason most people paid their respects to Breeks and Groucho’s.
“It has been a part of my life in Dundee since I was a kid.
“I bought my first Pink Floyd LP there many years ago.”
Thousands of mourners paid tribute to Breeks online before customers and musicians, including Simple Minds bassist Ged Grimes, attended his funeral.
Symon said: “He was clearly a wellknown person in the city.
“As a graffiti artist, this is how I pay my respects. The reaction has been amazing.
“I’ve had messages from his close family telling me how much they like it.”
Breeks’ nephew, Chae Strathie, said the family are going to visit the tribute artwork themselves in the next few weeks.
He said: “When the family was shown pictures of the mural it was a really special moment.
“It was so unexpected and a truly heartfelt tribute to Breeks.
“That someone would do some thing like that as a memorial just shows what he meant to people.
“It’s not everyone who gets a piece of art like this created in their memory, and we’d like to say thanks to Syke.
“We’re all planning to go up at some point soon to see the mural in person.
“I’m sure there will be a few tears shed but also a great deal of pride felt, too.
“Everyone misses Breeks, but it helps to know he lives on in the hearts and minds of so many people whose lives he touched over the years.”