SCOTLAND’S forgotten mural scene will be brought to life in Aberdeen later this year with the help of the artist many believe to have been the first to paint a gable end in the UK.
John Byrne will give an exclusive “in conversation” interview, fronted by the BBC’s Fiona Stalker, to open this year’s Nuart Plus series of artist talks, lectures, debates and film screenings. The events will be held in conjunction with Nuart Aberdeen, a street art festival which sees city centre landmarks transformed by artists from around the world.
Perhaps best known as the writer of The Slab Boys trilogy and TV dramas Tutti Frutti and Your Cheatin’ Heart, his art was propelled into the public eye when he was the first artist to paint the gable end of a Glasgow tenement block in 1975.
His mural, Boy on Dog, is regarded as being one of the first street art murals ever produced in the UK.
The event takes place on April 18 at the Belmont Filmhouse and is being organised by Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen City Council, with support from Burness Paull and The McGinty’s Group. The Nuart Aberdeen is taking place from April 18 to 21.
Reflecting on his own iconic mural and looking ahead to the festival, Byrne said: “More than 40 years on since I did the mural I’m looking forward to seeing what the artists are up to in Aberdeen. When it comes to street art people should expect the unexpected. I’m sure people will be curious to hear what I think, I’m sure I will get asked all sorts of interesting questions which is what I enjoy.”
Martyn Reed, director and curator of Nuart, said: “Shona Byrne, senior project manager at Aberdeen Inspired mentioned in passing that her husband’s uncle had painted a gable end back in the early 70s. I did some digging, and wow, what a treasure trove of links to our manifesto we found.
“Not only did John come from a working-class background and move into the arts, work with pop culture and music, overcome being an outsider in both camps and finally succeed, he was arguably, alongside Rochdale’s Walter Kershaw, one of the very first people to paint a public mural in the true spirit of ‘street art’.
“I feel a strong affinity to John Byrne and I’m absolutely honoured we’ll be opening proceedings with his talk.”
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