Artist puts himself in the picture for charity
John Byrne self-portrait will boost Christian Aid sale
Top Paisley artist John Byrne has donated a valuable self-portrait to a major charity sale.
As revealed in the Paisley Daily Express, Mr Byrne is the patron of this year’s Christian Aid Sale in Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s and St George’s Church. Since it was set up in 1974, the annual sale of books and collectables has become the biggest of its kind in Britain and one of the largest in the world.
Mr Byrne has donated a work called Self-portrait with a Small Bird. Organisers have invited sealed bids, with a reserve price of £5,000.
The successful bidder can expect the quirky portrait ● Register now for a colourful day out.
The Accord Hospice Rainbow Ramble will take place on Sunday, August 12, in Paisley’s Ferguslie Gardens.
Participants will start off with a pristine white t-shirt which will gradually take on the colours of the rainbow as they are showered in a kaleidoscope of powdered paints as they pass each colour station.
Accord says the paints are non-toxic, environmentally to increase in price over the years thanks to the quality and popularity of Mr Byrne’s work, much of which feature selfportraits and portraits of others.
Born in 1940 and raised in Paisley’s Ferguslie Park, Mr Byrne was educated at the town’s St Mirin’s Academy before attending Glasgow School of Art.
His striking art is notable for its quirky and often fantastical nature. Mr Byrne is also well known as a playwright, with his best known work being The Slab Boys trilogy.
This is based on the short period that he worked at the now-closed A F Stoddard carpet factory, in Elderslie.
As patron of the Christian Aid sale, Mr Byrne follows in the footsteps of Paisley sculptor Sandy Stoddart, who took on friendly, biodegradable, and safe. They are also easily washed off.
The ramble will take place in the park at Ferguslie Gardens where people will do four loops round the park – a distance of approximately 3K.
If you want to take part but would rather not be covered in powdered paint then you can go along in the brightest T-shirt you own. Registration costs £10 (children are free the role in 2014. Mary Davidson, sale convener, said: “We hope people will come along and find treasures among the books and other things for sale, remembering that the money they spend will help to support some of the poorest communities in the world.”
The Christian Aid Sale takes place until Friday, May 18, at the church in Edinburgh’s George Street. with a registered adult) and this includes a fundraising pack containing sponsorship forms, t-shirt, and your own sunglasses.
As a guide, Accord suggests a minimum sponsorship of £50 per person, but is extremely grateful for any amount raised. Register at www.accordhospice.org.uk/event/ rainbow-ramble
The event will run from 2pm to 5pm. A woman has been arrested in connection with police assault charges.
The 26-year-old allegedly kicked an officer in Oliphant Crescent, in Paisley, on Monday.
She was also charged with breach of the peace and resisting arrest.
It is believed the police officer i nvolved was uninjured during the alleged incident
A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.