Neil Shawcross, R.U.A., R.H.A. b.1940

Although born in Kearseley, Lancashire, Shawcross first came to Belfast in 1962 as a part time lecturer at the College of Art and has remained in Northern Ireland ever since, becoming one of its most popular and well respected artists. From 1968, Shawcross became a full-time member of the College, teaching there until his retirement in 2004. The dynamic yet subtle colouring of the present work, combined with the fluid handling of the watercolour medium, is typical of his style.  Over his career, his subject matter has focused on still life, flowers, the female nude and, more recently, portraiture which was the subject of his latest and highly acclaimed exhibition at the Ulster Museum.