John Byrne artist & playwright has died

[Ondine]

The Scottish painter, designer and playwright John Byrne has died. His paintings are displayed in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/dec/01/john-byrne-renowned-playwright-artist-dies-aged-83

 

John Byrne obituary:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/dec/01/john-byrne-obituary?

 

Playwright and artist who wrote the BBC series Tutti Frutti and Your Cheatin’ Heart, and plays including The Slab Boys

 

John Byrne: the maverick Scottish playwright and artist was a master observer

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/dec/01/john-byrne-died-aged-83-playwright-artist

 

Byrne, who has died aged 83, used his life as a constant source of inspiration for exuberant plays and paintings

 

 

John Byrne designed among other things Billy Connolly's banana boots, and this magnificent ceiling for the King's Theatre Edinburgh

 

(Creative Commons, link with all credits etc here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_ceiling_in_the_King's_Theatre_in_Edinburgh.jpg )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ondine]

There is further information about the magnificent King's Theatre dome here:

 

https://www.capitaltheatres.com/about/stories/dear-john-celebrating-the-kings-dome

 

 

Rich in theatrical motifs and references, John’s design for the King’s dome was painted onto the 17m high dome in the summer of 2013 by a team led by scenic artist Kevin Leary and including John Byrne’s daughter Celie Byrne and John himself. The work replaced the previous design, completed in 1985, but damaged and in a state of disrepair by 2012, providing the ideal opportunity for a major contemporary commission.

 

There is a link there to the BBC documentary about John Byrne What do Artists Do All Day? (includes the creation of the dome).

 

Edited December 2, 2023 by Ondine