Billy sells his art (and two corrugated cows)
HE is known for his quirky comedy – and Billy Connolly’s taste in art is, it seems, equally offbeat.
And fans can see this for themselves at the McEwan Gallery, in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, which is showing some of the Big Yin’s vast collection.
The items, which are on sale, once decorated Candacraig House, the Aberdeenshire mansion Connolly and his wife Pamela Stephenson sold in 2014.
The collection includes paintings by Beryl Cook, John Bellany, Peter Howson, James Grainger and James McNaught.
The comedian bought Candacraig in 1998 and became a familiar face at the Lonach Gathering. He entertained celebrities including Dame Judi Dench and Robin Williams at the estate.
Connolly, 74, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago, lives in Florida.
Rhod McEwan, owner of the McEwan Gallery, said: ‘When the Connollys sold their house here, their collection was too big to take everything with them so they entrusted it to us. It’s a very quirky collection which always raises a smile.
‘We will keep the items on display until they are all sold. We still have about two dozen items available for sale.’ He added that two corrugated iron cows, which Connolly bought in New Zealand, ‘stop people in their tracks’.
The gallery has not disclosed any asking prices for the items. In the past, Howson’s paintings have sold for more than £300,000, while a Beryl Cook work sold for £69,000 nine years ago.
In a TV special last night, Billy Connolly and Me: A Celebration, stars paid tribute to the comedian, who also candidly spoke about his Parkinson’s battle.