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Norman Galbraith.

Norman Galbraith (Born 10th July 1924 in Philadelphia USA, Died 15th December 2017 in Paisley Scotland) was a Scottish sculptor.

Early Life.

Norman Galbraith was born in 1924 in Philadelphia, USA where has parents had earlier emigrated to, from Scotland.  However, the family returned to U.K. age 5, after the dramatic kidnap of Charles Augustus Lindbergh which greatly concerned his mother.

Norman started his education at Williamsburg School in Paisley in 1929, and he often joked that he was the only pupil with a Yankee accent.  He often returned to Williamsburgh school to vote, saying it stimulated memories of 80 years ago.  This happy period in his early life was followed by several years at Camphill secondary school, Paisley.

Military Service

On leaving school, and following the early death of his younger sister, aged 15, of TB, Norman entered the British Army, aged 17 and from 1941-1947, served in the Second World War as a Paratrooper and in the Black Watch, Highland Regiment and King’s Own Scottish Borderers, seeing action in North Africa, Italy (including the Battle of Monte Cassino), Greece, and also was stationed in India.  Norman saw much of this in a positive light, especially finding himself living in cultures very different from the Scottish culture he’d left behind.  He made friends in the Army, with whom he stayed in contact for the rest of his life.

At the end of the war, he left the Army with a distinguished record.  Medals included War Medal (1939-45), 1939-45 Star, France & Germany Star, Italy Star and Africa Star. Unfortunately, Norman contracted TB towards the end of WW2.  He was sent by the Army to Switzerland for treatment for six months, which resulted in having to postpone his forthcoming marriage to his future wife, Evelyn.

Personal Life

On returning to the UK, he married Evelyn and they went on to have six sons.  They had a total of six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Norman loved, highly valued and respected his wife and partner in life Evelyn, especially her great contribution to his life and to that of their family. They divorced in 1980, although they remained in close contact through family for the rest of their lives.

Early Work

Although Norman’s love for Art was always a driving force in his mind and imagination, he had to pursue more earthly jobs and he spent time as an instrument maker, sold advertising and started a career in printing, where he eventually acquired his own printing business, Abbey Press, in New Sneddon Street, Paisley.

Art Work

Norman's sculpture of St Mirin, St Mirin's Cathedral, Paisley

Norman standing next to his sculpture of John Paul II, to commemorate the Pope's visit to Scotland in 1982.

In the 1970s, he considered himself privileged to meet a mentor, the Queen’s Sculptor in Scotland, Benno Schotz.  At that time, Norman was studying sculpture at the Glasgow School of Art.  This began a decade of Norman selling the work of several renowned Scottish artists, which awakened in him his passion to develop his love for sculpture.  While he had dabbled in sculpture for many years, he finally rented a studio in Espedair Street, where he developed his skills in sculpture, from modelling in clay to casting in bronze.  There began his career in sculpture.  The Catholic Church was great support to Norman in commissioning work.  From the 1970, his work began to appear in churches from Kilmun, Paisley, Houston (namely the John Ogilvie Sculpture).  However, his proudest moment was in 1982 when he was commissioned to create a sculpture of Pope John Paul II to commemorate his Holiness’s Papal visit to Scotland.  

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  Norman's sculpture of St Mirin with St Mirin's Cathedral in background.

Four of his last works in 2008 included his final work for the Church, the statue of St Mirin standing outside Paisley’s St Mirin Cathedral, a sculpture dedicated to the canonization of St John Ogilvie, located within the same cathedral, and two sculptures with an education motif which grace the main entrance at West College Scotland, on Renfrew Road, Paisley.  Norman never tired of the challenge of sculpture and during a consultation with a consultant at the local hospital in 2015, the consultant asked Norman how he was feeling.  “I’d feel better if I had another commission” he said.  An accompanying son could see the consultant’s eye glancing to Norman’s electronic file to double check he hadn’t misread his age.  “You’re not expected to work at the age of 91” he told Norman.  

Sculpture to St. John Ogilvie, St Mirin's Cathedral, Paisley. To commemorate the Saint's canonisation in 1976.

Other Interests

Norman served as Group Scout Master in Paisley.  He was an active participant in both SERRA International, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and of the Critics Group, for over 40 years.  He was an avid poet and published a collection of his poems under the title: “Under a Bow in the Clouds”.

Norman’s attitude to life was very sanguine; he very rarely became anxious or upset, preferring to remain philosophical about most things.  His military experiences during the Second World War had a very deep in his life, although he rarely discussed his war experience. Despite his physical problems, he never complained about life.  Norman firmly embraced the Catholic church in his 40’s and was a member of the congregation until his death.  

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  Norman speaking at St Mirin unveiling.