An art graduate has launched a computer font based on an iconic Dundee street sign.
David McLeish used the multicoloured design of the famous Dens Road Market sign to inspire his own lettering.
He’s now hoping it will be used by locals for flyers, posters or other advertising.
Speaking to Dundee Live, David said it was important to get the family of legendary Dundee signwriter, Ernest Gauld, on board.
Originally a lorry driver, Ernie only officially started painting signs in the city and Broughty Ferry in 1970, at the age of 42.
David told us: “I have to thank Ernest's children Sid and Grace Gauld who got in touch through Creative Dundee, when they first posted up some early-stage information about this project.
“In my subsequent conversations with them, they gave me much of this information and I am only too glad to be able to breathe new life not only into these ‘ghost signs’ before they are painted over, but to the story of Ernest, the original creator.”
And he added: “Dundee is going through a time of great growth, and great change and while that is incredibly exciting, it’s also incredibly important we don’t forget its indigenous culture which predates any of the more formal cultural institutions.
“We must carefully chronicle these stories of part-time creators and have-a-go heroes who were making and creating in the great spirit of just doing it for the love of it.”
Ernest was born in June 1928 and raised in Lawton Terrace, where he lived with his parents, four brothers and two sisters.
During two years national service in India, he observed, sketched, drew, painted and began to develop a particular interest in typography.
On his return, he married Elizabeth Pirie and the couple had four children- Lizbeth, Grace, Irene & Sid.
Some of his most famous works are the Dens Road Market signage, The Horn diner by Errol, numerous city cabs, Scott Brother’s Livery, much of Albert Street and numerous shopfronts and bars.
His son, Sid, spoke to Dundee Live about David’s project and his own memories of his dad's iconic work in the city.
He told us: “It has been great to find out David has put so much effort into this and very happy that he has been inspired by my father’s original Dens Road Market Sign.
“That particular sign is 45 if not 50 years old! Amazing that it has lasted albeit now boarded over, I believe.
“I left Dundee just before I was 18 in 1977 and my father stopped signwriting in the mid to early 80’s but each time I went back to visit I would instantly recognise his signs all over Dundee.
“Over the years naturally the signs have gradually disappeared and it became increasingly harder to spot them but amazingly the Dens Road sign is still just about hanging in there! Bit like the rest of us!
And he added: “David initially getting in touch has brought back many childhood Dundee memories for both Grace and myself and whilst I have taken a musical route both Grace and Eileen, my other sister, have definitely followed in my dad’s footsteps.
“It is a shame that our oldest sister Lizbeth passed away recently. She would have loved to hear about the font and David’s work.
“After all these years of living in London and now remembering the Dundee Dens Road Market sign, it’s funny for me to think that the first band I ever played in was the Saturday Morning Dens Road Orchestra, closely followed by most Saturday afternoons going to either Dens Park or Tannadice with my brother-in-law, Bill O’Rourke, to watch the home games and walking past this sign every time!”
-You can see more of David Mcleish's work and access the font at his website here.
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