Artist calls on church to uncover his 1957 mural

Published on 12/01/2013 01:04

A 100-YEAR-OLD artist whose former students included John Bellany and Elizabeth Blackadder is calling for a church to uncover a mural he was commissioned to paint in the 1950s.

Derek Clarke created the work in 1957 for the Sacred Heart church in Lauriston, Edinburgh. The life-sized risen Christ was surrounded by figures including parishioners, the then cardinal and his own family.

“I thought I had done what the parish priest asked me to do. He was very pleased,” he said.

“But ten years after that a committee said they wanted it covered over with wallpaper. I am hoping that perhaps ten years after I have died somebody will think of unveiling it.”