Tributes paid as ‘masterful’ artist Byrne is laid to rest
Stars of the arts, stage and screen were in Edinburgh yesterday to attend the funeral of artist and playwright John Byrne, who died two weeks ago aged 83.
The service for the Scots polymath at St Peter’s Catholic Parish Church in Morningside, Edinburgh, was followed by a burial service in Dean Cemetery.
Byrne – who graduated from the Glasgow School of Art in 1963 – was known for his idiosyncratic paintings and art, but was equally well known for being a playwright and theatre designer.
His plays Tutti Frutti, Your Cheatin’ Heart and The Slab Boys Trilogy form a significant part of Scottish theatre and TV history. He designed album covers for the likes of Donovan, The Beatles and Gerry Rafferty – including Ferguslie Park, named after the Paisley housing estate where Byrne grew up – and stage outfits for Billy Connolly.
His work is held in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, and the Museum of Modern Art.
Last year, Byrne’s career was charted in an exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. One highlight of the show, titled A Big Adventure, was a room displaying more than 40 self-portraits, described as the most ever displayed at one time, spanning 1963 to 2020.
Paintings of famous figures including Byrne’s former partner, Tilda Swinton, and Sir Billy also featured in the exhibition, along with more intimate studies of close family and friends.
At the time, he said: “I suppose you could say it tells much of my life story. I hope visitors enjoy it, seeing art should be fun. For me it’s certainly been a fun, Big Adventure all these years.”
After his death was announced, Steve Carson, director of BBC Scotland, said: “John was an incredibly gifted artist, across so many disciplines. He created the acclaimed drama series Trutti Frutti for BBC Scotland and then followed with Your Cheatin’ Heart, alongside several other BBC TV network dramas. He will be greatly missed across the cultural landscape in Scotland and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
Those attending included Scottish singer Barbara Dickson, and actors Peter Capaldi, Maureen Beattie, Gavin Mitchell and Tam Dean Burn.