They nicknamed him ‘Braaq’ when he was at school in Liverpool, on account of his artistic talent by kids who maybe didn’t know how to spell Georges Braque’s name.
Brian Shields (1951-97) spent most of
his working life in Harrogate painting Lowry-like industrial
Northern scenes.
He hit the news when working as a
trainee chef in a bleak Harrogate hotel, when he brightened the
place up by painting some of its walls with murals which he signed
'Braaq'.
He had his first exhibition in 1977
and became one of the most successful artists in Britain but,
sadly, died a bankrupt at the age of 46.
Appearing at Bowman
Fairs' Antiques and Art Fair at the Yorkshire
Showground, Harrogate on May 26 and 27 will be a selection of
Braaq's signed prints and oils from a private collection priced
from £150 to £20,000. They will be offered by Jester
Antiques of Halifax.
Pieces with an Olympics interest will
also be at the fair, with Helen and Simon
Main of York bringing some low-priced memorabilia from
countries who bid for but didn't get the Games. Simon's vote for
the most obscure item goes to a booklet about a meeting of
International Olympics medical officers in 1974 to discuss dope
testing at the 1972 games, which he's selling for £28.
Contact Helen and Ben Bowman on 01274
588505 for more details.
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