THE artist behind Glasgow’s latest mural has revealed the story behind the stunning depiction of the mother of Glasgow’s patron saint.
Commissioned by the Thenue Housing Association, the mural on Abercromby Street is near its London Road office.
The East End mural is nearing completion by talented artist Mark Worst, who has already worked on murals in Paisley.
The work depicts St Thenue, also known as St Enoch, surrounded by fish but also carries unique links to the East End community.
St Thenue is portrayed with a shawl featuring 29 motifs in honour of the 29 young victims of the 1989 Templetons carpet factory disaster.
The names of the 29 young women and girls are also inscribed on paving stones near the housing association’s offices.
Artist Mark Worst said: “The strong historical link between Thenue Housing and St Thenue is a fascinating one. Much is known about her son St Mungo given his role as Glasgow’s patron saint.
“But Glaswegians know less about this mother whose story focuses on overcoming adversity and finding a new beginning which ultimately led to the founding of a great city like Glasgow."
The fish motif was chosen as they are believed to have guided St Thenue safely to shore after she was cast adrift in the Firth of Forth to die.
According to legend, her father, a pagan king, previously ordered her to be hurled from a hill in East Lothian since she was young, pregnant and unmarried.
She survived the fall and thanks to the fish who guided her to shore, St Thenue arrived safely in Culross of Fife where she was given sanctuary and gave birth to Mungo who later became the patron saint of Glasgow.
Mr Worst added: “This portrait seeks to illustrate the woman who was St Thenue and the fish which played a key role in delivering her to the safety of the shore in Fife.
“It would be wonderful to think this will become a much loved east end landmark and I hope local people like it.”
Charles Turner, Thenue Housing’s chief executive said: “This is an important artwork which reinforces the strong historical bond Thenue has with the city of Glasgow
“It also transforms a gable end wall into a new east end landmark which we are sure will be welcomed by many local people and others passing by.”
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