Visit the 1930s - Art Exhibition

Thomas McGoran was born in Ayr in 1927, but it was his upbringing in Glasgow from 1931 that provided the inspiration for his work as a self-taught artist. After being made redundant from the railway in 1988, his wife Jenny gave him a box of oil paints and brushes for his retirement when they moved back to Dennistoun.

His exhibition, "Visit the 1930s," is currently on display at the Forge Shopping Centre, which kindly donated a unit next to Benson's Cafe. Entry is free, but donations are welcome in aid of the With Kids charity. Originally scheduled to run from 6th February to 26th February, the exhibition has been extended until 4th March from 10am to 5pm.

McGoran's work offers a social snapshot of growing up in Glasgow during the 1930s, with titles including "The Wedding Scramble," "Broken Window," "Going to the Steamie," "School Dodgers," "Going to the Pictures with the Old Man," and "The Widow Who Took in Washing."

After the exhibition closes, McGoran hopes to offer reproduction prints for sale with the help of his family. You can follow his progress on his online shop by following him on Instagram at @oils_by_tommy.

Additionally, drawings by Thomas McGoran of "Old Picture Houses of Glasgow" can be seen in the Dennistoun Library.