Elected ARSA: 17 March 1943
Norman J. Forrest was born in Edinburgh in 1898. He was apprenticed to an architectural sculptor and during that time he studied in the Edinburgh College of Art, where he showed a remarkable preference for wood carving.
This became evident when he produced a series of beautiful statuettes in walnut and limewood for the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, S.S. Andes and Queen of Bermuda. Two heads—one carved in limewood of a young girl and the other a bronze of a famous ballet dancer—show very clearly his skill as an artist and craftsman and his concern as a sculptor for his material. Although he taught in the Edinburgh College of Art, he still found time to create some large wood carvings for various churches.
He was elected an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1943, and he also served on the Board of Governors of Edinburgh College of Art from 1963 to 1968. Mr Forrest died in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on 10th November 1972. He was a well-loved Member and will be sadly missed by his many friends. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
RSA Obituary by Wm. H. Kininmonth & Robin Philipson. Transcribed from the 1972 RSA Annual Report
