Little-known sculptures by Adam Christie discovered

Three sculptures by Angus “outsider artist” Adam Christie have surfaced following recent interest in his work.

Alison and Lindsay Cameron contacted a local heritage specialist to say they had three stone heads produced during Christie’s 50 years as a patient in Sunnyside Hospital, near Montrose.

Dave Ramsay commissioned local sculptor Brian Wyllie to produce a work for the artist’s grave site in Sleepyhillock Cemetery, to complement a Historic Scotland plaque which was awarded last year in recognition of a contribution to what is now known as “outsider art”.

The Camerons invited Dave and Brian to view the stones, and hear the story behind them.

Mrs Cameron’s grandfather, David Dutch, had been a porter at Sunnyside Hospital, and Christie used to stop by and work on his sculptures at the porter’s lodge.

As he used to give away all his sculptures, four of them were in the possession of David Dutch.

They then passed into the possession of his son Henry Dutch and his wife Nan, in whose garden they were kept until recently.

Dave Ramsay, project director of Mearns Heritage Services, said: “These are three remarkable pieces, with one of them dated 1927, and all bearing the standard Adam Christie inscription, and all until recently unknown.

“This wonderful new connection and timeline helps build a better picture of the sheer volume of Adam’s work, which will be reflected by the skills of Brian Wyllie, as a personal tribute to Adam Christie.

“To discover three unknown heads at this stage of the project is great news, and the connection of the three sculptors is a great acknowledgement to the skill of craftsmen who work in stone.”

A date has still to be set for the installation of Mr Wyllie’s commission at Montrose.

Mr and Mrs Cameron, front, with the stone heads and Dave Ramsay and Brian Wyllie at the back.