Alison Muir was surprised to see her father, Matt Anderson, pictured in the weekend memories a couple of weeks ago, showing him and his former work colleague beside masterful paintings of iconic Inverclyde landscapes from the 1970’s.
In 1975, Matt and his IBM workmate Jack Holt combined their hobbies to commission two large colour paintings, one of Cathcart Street and another of Mid Quay looking towards Greenock’s municipal building tower and harbourside shops.
Alison Muir with her fathers paintings of a past Greenock (Image: George Munro) With Matt’s wealth of local knowledge and Jack’s painting skills, the pair where able to craft snapshots of a now distant Greenock.
The painting of Cathcart Street is based off of a picture from 1935 and the Mid Quay was created from a picture dated 1898.
Alison said since her mum passed away in 2023, the paintings have lived in her loft, and she is now wanting to give them away to an organisation or person who would be able to display them for others to appreciate.
She told the Tele: “I didn’t want to part with them a few years ago and I would only be keeping them for sentimental value but I feel as though they should go to someone who would appreciate them and display them.
“They are only going to lie in the loft and that is such a waste of what wonderful talent.
“It would be lovely to know of a society or group who would like them.”
Joy Monteith and Matt Anderson researching for the Old Greenock book (Image: Contributed) Matt also helped curate the Old Greenock book alongside Joy Monteith, a collection of 170 images of historic Greenock – a lasting legacy for Matt as he sadly passed away at the age of 44 in 1980 before the book was published.
When the book was published, Mrs Anderson proudly helped present it alongside Joy to the then provost, Harry Mulholland.
Mrs Anderson with Provost Harry Mullholand and Joy Monteith (Image: Contributed) Alison added: “My dad was always interested in the history of Greenock, and he was a big collector of old photographs and books about the place.
“He was a proud Greenockian.”
As well as his interests in history, Mr Anderson worked closely with Morton, helping scout local players such as Neil Orr and John McNeil, eventually moving on to scout for Celtic.
Matt’s colourful paintings of Inverclyde’s past where a talking point in Alison’s family home when she was growing up and is keen to hear from people who would find joy in the artworks.
She said: “When we had them hanging in our family home, anyone who would come into the house would say ‘oh, look at those’.
“They were of great interest, and I think they still would be to the right people.”
Alison says any groups or societies who are interested in owning the paintings should contact her at alisonmuir63@icloud.com.