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£200,000 needed to help save Mackintosh mural

A world famous artwork could be lost forever if a call to preserve the building it is housed in falls on deaf ears. The future of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh mural in Dysart Kirk hangs in the balance as an urgent appeal goes out to raise funds to save the old church.

It is estimated around £200,000 is needed to carry out essential repair and renovation work to the B listed building, including fixing its damaged roof and brickwork.

More than 1000 people flocked to see the art nouveau stencilled mural by the internationally renowned Scottish artist and architect last year when the church held two open days and accommodated coach loads of eager visitors.

Elder Morag Baker explained: "This is a unique and historically relevant artwork which has to be protected. Museum curators and people from all over the world come to see it."

The mural, commissioned by the kirk in 1901 at a cost of £10, was believed to be lost but several of its panels were uncovered beneath 16 coats of paint. It comprises a series of 12 stencilled panels around the curved interior walls of the kirk and depicts the dove of peace, tree of knowledge and three circles of good, bad and eternity.

Full story at Fife Free Press.