Basil Blackshaw facts for kids

Basil Joseph Blackshaw (July 1932 – 2 May 2016) was a famous artist from Northern Ireland. He was well-known for painting animals, people, and landscapes. He was also an important member of the Royal Ulster Academy, a group of respected artists.

Early Life and Education

Basil Blackshaw was born in Glengormley, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. He grew up in Boardmills in Lisburn, County Down. His father was a professional horse trainer.

Basil went to Methodist College Belfast. He later studied art at the Belfast College of Art from 1948 to 1951. In 1950, he won an award for being one of the best art students of the year.

In 1951, Basil received a special scholarship to study art in Paris. After finishing his studies, he taught art part-time at the Belfast School of Art. He also designed sets for the Lyric Theatre.

Basil Blackshaw married artist Anna Ritchie in 1959. They had a daughter in 1962. They later divorced in 1972. After that, he met his long-term partner, Helen Falloon.

Career as an Artist

Basil Blackshaw lived and worked in County Antrim, near Lough Neagh. He became very famous for his paintings of country scenes. These included landscapes, farm buildings, and horses. He painted in a style called expressionism. This means he used strong colors and brushstrokes to show feelings and ideas.

At first, people admired his traditional painting skills. But he kept growing as an artist. He became known for using paint in a very free and loose way. He also used colors in a special and subtle way.

His paintings of sports like horse racing and boxing were very popular. Basil Blackshaw was also a talented portrait painter. He painted famous people like playwright Brian Friel and Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume.

Dolly, a painting by Basil Blackshaw

Blackshaw's paintings often showed real things, but he used unusual colors. This made his art look expressive and sometimes almost abstract. His favorite subjects were often from Ireland and the countryside. He painted greyhounds, Irish Travellers, and the beautiful landscape.

Basil Blackshaw had his first solo art show in 1955. It was held at the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery. He showed 36 paintings there. He had many other shows throughout his career.

In 1985, a fire unfortunately destroyed his studio and many of his artworks.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland organized a big show of his work in 1995. This show traveled from Belfast to Dublin, Cork, and many galleries in the United States. In 2001, he received an award for his lasting contribution to art in Ireland.

The Ulster Museum held another major show of his work in 2002. A detailed book about him was published in 2003. In 2015, Basil Blackshaw agreed to be the subject of a documentary film. It was called An Edge of Society Man and was shown in 2016.

Basil Blackshaw often showed his art with the Royal Ulster Academy. He became an associate member in 1977 and a full Academician in 1981. He won several awards from the Academy, including the Conor prize in 1982.

In 2012, the Royal Hibernian Academy held a big show to celebrate his 80th birthday. Basil Blackshaw's last artwork was a portrait of broadcaster Bobbie Hanvey, but it was not finished.

Death and Legacy

Basil Blackshaw passed away on 2 May 2016, after being unwell for some years. He was remembered by his partner Helen Falloon and his daughter, Anya Waterworth, who is also an artist.

His funeral was held in Belfast. Many artists, including Neil Shawcross and Colin Davidson, attended the service. People from sports and law, as well as actor Stephen Rea, also came to pay their respects. The ceremony ended with the song Mr Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan.

Works in Collections

You can find Basil Blackshaw's art in several important collections, including:

• The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, with works like:
  • The Last Walk
• The Arts Council of Ireland, with works like:
  • Green Landscape (1980)
• The Ulster Museum
• The Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery, Dublin, including:
  • Niall's Pony
• Irish Museum of Modern Art, Permanent Collection including:
  • Anna on a Sofa
  • Windows I-IV

See also

• List of Northern Irish artists