John Byrne RSA b. 1940
Overview
Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, John Byrne is one of the most inventive and contrary artists working in Scotland today. Both stylistically and in terms of subject matter his work fizzes off in all directions, always however underpinned by technical mastery. He is probably more widely known for his work in the theatre and television, with plays like Slab Boys and Tutti Frutti. As a painter he is quite without parallel. As his friend Robbie Coltrane wrote in 2000 of Byrne's sketches: 'if I could draw like that I would give up everything else in my life'.
Works
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John Byrne RSAGuitar Player, c.1971signedpencil15 3/4 x 13 in
40 x 33 cm -
John Byrne RSABlack Lives Matter, 2020signedoil on board23 7/8 x 26 1/8 in
60.6 x 66.4 cm -
John Byrne RSADancing devil dogs, 2020signed and inscribed 'AP' in pencil to marginscreenprint12 3/4 x 19 1/4 in
32.4 x 48.9 cm -
John Byrne RSAThe father of Man, 2020signed; inscribed on linen versooil and bodycolour on linen15 3/4 x 15 3/4 in
40 x 40 cm -
John Byrne RSAWeekend in Manhattan, 2020initialled JBoil on Arches paper laid on board32 x 24 1/4 in
81.3 x 61.6 cm -
John Byrne RSAYoung Smoker/Old Joker, 2010signed and titled in pencil to marginmezzotint1 5/8 x 2 in
4 x 5 cm
Sheet size:
7 1/2 x 9 in
19 x 23 cm -
John Byrne RSAL'Ange Noir, 1991-1992signed 'Patrick' and titled 'L'Ange Noir'watercolour and Caran d'Ache water soluble pastels44 x 52 1/2 in
111.8 x 133.3 cm -
John Byrne RSAJuggling Pyrites 23/60signed, titled and numbered 23/60 in pencil to marginhand coloured etching9 3/4 x 7 3/4 in
24.8 x 19.7 cm
Sheet size: 12 1/4 x 10 1/2 in
Exhibitions
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Modern
18 Feb - 27 Mar 2021 Edinburgh20th century Scottish works of art, including Barbara Balmer, Robert Henderson Blyth, John Boyd, John Byrne, FCB Cadell, Ian Fleming, William Gillies, Jack Knox, William McCance, and John McLean.Read more -
Christmas
at The Fine Art Society 4 - 23 Dec 2020 EdinburghRead more -
John Byrne and Ron Sandford
Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright 15 - 30 Aug 2020Harbour Cottage Gallery Castle Bank, Kirkcudbright DG6 4LB In this extraordinary year, we have broken with tradition and bring two great living artists to Kirkcudbright. Great draftsmanship underpins both; one...Read more -
John Byrne
Welcome To My World 19 Jun - 25 Jul 2020 EdinburghJohn is an epiphany baby, born 6th January 1940. 2020 began, then, with a notable birthday and an unreasonably busy calendar that included a new theatre production, in conversations, a...Read more -
Hang 3 //
Scottish Painting 1950-1980 19 Mar - 25 Apr 2020 EdinburghThe decades following WW2 saw artists take new forms of artistic expression. The order and rationalism that had preceded was rejected. Painting became more gestural and instinctive; this was achieved...Read more -
The Print Show
13 Jan - 8 Feb 2020 EdinburghThe Print Show presented an annual exhibition of Scottish printmaking, featuring three centuries of etchings, drypoint, woodcuts and lithography. Exhibited artists included: Sir Muirhead Bone, James Mcbey, Gerald Brockhurst, Robert...Read more -
John Byrne
Then Till Now 27 Sep - 9 Nov 2019 EdinburghJohn Byrne: Then Till Now was a small exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints by John Byrne, dating from the late 1960s to today. Early works included watercolours signed 'Patrick'...Read more -
Intimate
A Portrait 25 Jul - 31 Aug 2019 EdinburghClose and personal portraiture: painting, sculpture and photography by living and twentieth century artists whose sitters are closest to them or whose inner workings engage them, sometimes the artist themselves....Read more -
In The Frame
Small Paintings and Antique Frames 18 Jan - 16 Feb 2019 EdinburghAn exhibition of small paintings by Scottish artists displayed within groups of antique frames from the 18th-20th centuries. These were a selection of frames from our extensive period frame stock...Read more -
John Byrne
The Boy and the Jabberwock 28 Feb - 29 Mar 2018 EdinburghThis exhibition included John Byrne's work in theatre, film and television through preliminary drawings and character sketches from Tutti Frutti, The Slab Boys and Writer's Cramp. A highlight among these...Read more -
John Byrne
Rock 'n' Roll 24 Nov - 23 Dec 2017 EdinburghThe Fine Art Society presents Rock ‘n’ Roll, a selling exhibition of works by John Byrne RSA. Central to the exhibition is a large scale oil The Song of the...Read more -
John Byrne
Lullaby of Broadway 12 - 29 Sep 2017 LondonLullaby of Broadway was the fifth solo exhibition of acclaimed Scottish painter John Byrne at our London gallery. The title of the show is a song known to many. First...Read more -
Notable
Highlights from the year 23 Jun - 15 Jul 2017 EdinburghNotable drew together a selection of the most memorable and significant paintings to have passed through the doors of The Fine Art Society in Edinburgh in 2017. The rarity, ingenuity,...Read more -
Ornis Logos
Paintings, Prints, Taxidermy 21 Jun - 28 Aug 2017 EdinburghOrnis Logos: an ornithologically themed exhibition of paintings, prints, taxidermy and design from Scottish artists spanning 300 years. The exhibition included one off prints on canvas by Timorous Beasties, taxidermy...Read more -
Muse
26 May - 17 Jun 2017 EdinburghA small exhibition, Muse, drew together a select group of works that reflect the source of artistic inspiration be it an individual, a character from literature or a group. Central...Read more -
Folk and Fancy
Tales and Tradition 21 Apr - 20 May 2017 EdinburghCentral to the show was a large-scale painting by James Howe (1780-1836) of All Hallow’s Fair on Calton Hill (c .1817-22). The last All Hallow’s fair was held in 1813...Read more -
John Byrne
Moonshine 18 Nov - 23 Dec 2016 EdinburghPainted in 2016, the works in this exhibition marked a transitional moment in John Byrne's evolving creativity. Still capturing glimpses of familiar faces: the Teddy boy and the blonde from...Read more -
John Byrne RSA
Dead End 3 Jul - 1 Sep 2014 EdinburghJohn Byrne's artistic career began in 1967 when he assumed the identity of the naive painter 'Patrick' for a series of shows at the Portal Gallery, London. A true renaissance...Read more
