Mike’s artwork is a two-year journey to health

By Kevin Janiak
Published 22nd Jul 2020, 16:59 BST
Mike Cossar of Galashiels has spent the last two years saving up for materials for this Merkabah. Photo: Glicious-fotoMike Cossar of Galashiels has spent the last two years saving up for materials for this Merkabah. Photo: Glicious-foto
Mike Cossar of Galashiels has spent the last two years saving up for materials for this Merkabah. Photo: Glicious-foto
A Galashiels man has found a new lease of life after almost drinking himself to death two years ago.

Fifty-year-old Mike Cossar of Langlee suffered a cardiac arrest while riding his bicycle in 2018.

However, he was saved by the administrations of an off-duty nurse named Carla, who happened to be passing with her husband and her child.

He admits he was not in a good place at the time.

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Mike Cossar of Galashiels has spent the last two years saving up for materials for this Merkabah. Photo: Glicious-fotoMike Cossar of Galashiels has spent the last two years saving up for materials for this Merkabah. Photo: Glicious-foto
Mike Cossar of Galashiels has spent the last two years saving up for materials for this Merkabah. Photo: Glicious-foto

He said: “I was alcoholic, I was estranged from my wife and children and I basically drank myself into that heart attack.

“Carla saved my life, but I was left with a hypoxic brain injury, which affects my memory.

“A lady called Margot Crosbie from Momentum has been a huge support, but they have just been defunded, so I wanted to try to do something.”

So, for the past two years, Mike has been saving up enough money to buy the parts to build a merkabah – which translates as light, spirit and transport.

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Mike Cossar of Galashiels has spent the last two years saving up for materials for this Merkabah.Mike Cossar of Galashiels has spent the last two years saving up for materials for this Merkabah.
Mike Cossar of Galashiels has spent the last two years saving up for materials for this Merkabah.

And, now built, the geometric artwork was unveiled this week at a yurt in Glendearg Farm, near his home-town.

Mike said: “It’s meant to help you meditate. Personally I haven’t done any meditation, but it was just a project to get my life back in order.

“It was meant to be unveiled during Mental Health Week at MacArts in Galashiels, but it was cancelled due to Covid-19.

“It is designed to be transportable, and now I’m looking for a home for the piece.”

Related topics:GalashielsCovid-19

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