A brief tribute to Basil Blackshaw HRHA HRUA, one of Ireland’s most enigmatic painters, who left us on May 2nd 2016
Basil Blackshaw is a name that will be forever ingrained in my memory. I can still recall the first time I was exposed to his work, at the age of 16 in Limavady technical college while studying art and design history. There was a rhythm to his brush strokes, an unmistakable and almost tangible flavour to his palettes. It wasn’t until almost 10 years later while working as a concept artist and creating digital paintings that I fully realised the influence he had on my own painting style. I’m too late to tell you in person Basil, hopefully this thought reaches you on some level. Thank you and sleep well.
Basil Blackshaw was born in Glengormley, Co Antrim in 1932. He studied at Methodist College Belfast and then went to the Belfast College of Art. When graduating, he was awarded a Council for Encouragement of Music and Arts Scholarship to study in Paris. Since then he worked and lived the rest of his days in Co. Antrim, Ireland.
Inspiration Everywhere
“It could be a piece of paper lying on the floor out there. It could suggest a starting point, anything [could suggest] a starting point. That’s really it. It could happen anytime, anywhere, any day. You never know when it is going to happen.”
