Celebrated local artist dies at age 83

Celebrated artist Basil Blackshaw, who was raised in Boardmills, died this week, aged 83.
Artist Basil Blackshaw (centre) pictured at the opening of the "Blackshaw at 80" Exhibition in the F E McWilliam Gallery with David Simpson MP, Curator Rhiann Coulter, Banbridge District Council Chairman Cllr Joan Baird MBE, Banbridge District Council Chief Executive Liam Hannaway and Architect Hugh McIlveen who opened the exhibition © Edward Byrne Photography INBL19-202EBArtist Basil Blackshaw (centre) pictured at the opening of the "Blackshaw at 80" Exhibition in the F E McWilliam Gallery with David Simpson MP, Curator Rhiann Coulter, Banbridge District Council Chairman Cllr Joan Baird MBE, Banbridge District Council Chief Executive Liam Hannaway and Architect Hugh McIlveen who opened the exhibition © Edward Byrne Photography INBL19-202EB
Artist Basil Blackshaw (centre) pictured at the opening of the "Blackshaw at 80" Exhibition in the F E McWilliam Gallery with David Simpson MP, Curator Rhiann Coulter, Banbridge District Council Chairman Cllr Joan Baird MBE, Banbridge District Council Chief Executive Liam Hannaway and Architect Hugh McIlveen who opened the exhibition © Edward Byrne Photography INBL19-202EB

A private man, pictured masked in a paper bag at one of his own exhibitions, he was hailed “one of Ireland’s greatest artists” by Dublin’s Royal Hibernian Academy.

He became a Royal Ulster Academy of Arts associate in 1977.

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