The Scottish art and theatre world is mourning the loss of John Byrne, who died on 30 November 2023 at the age of 83. Byrne was a versatile and influential artist, dramatist and stage designer who worked in various styles and techniques. He was best known for his paintings and printmaking, as well as his plays The Slab Boys Trilogy, Tutti Frutti and Your Cheatin’ Heart.
Byrne was born in Paisley and grew up in the notorious Ferguslie Park housing scheme. He attended Glasgow School of Art from 1958 to 1963, where he developed his distinctive style of painting, influenced by pop art, surrealism and folk art. He also created album cover designs for bands such as The Beatles, Gerry Rafferty and The Humblebums.
Byrne’s breakthrough as a playwright came in 1978 with The Slab Boys, a comedy set in a carpet factory in Paisley, where he had worked as a teenager. The play was followed by two sequels, Cuttin’ a Rug and Still Life, forming a trilogy that explored working-class life in Scotland with humour and realism. The Slab Boys was adapted for television in 1979, starring Robbie Coltrane and Emma Thompson.
In 1987, Byrne wrote and directed Tutti Frutti, a BAFTA award-winning series for BBC Television, starring Coltrane, Richard Wilson and Emma Thompson. The series followed the exploits of a rock and roll band in the 1980s, and was praised for its witty dialogue, colourful characters and nostalgic soundtrack. Byrne also wrote and directed Your Cheatin’ Heart, a TV series about the Scottish country music scene, starring Tilda Swinton, whom he had a long-term relationship with and had two children.
Byrne was also a prolific painter and printmaker, who exhibited his works regularly in Scotland and abroad. He painted portraits of many famous people, including Billy Connolly, Tilda Swinton, Robbie Coltrane and Raymond Johnstone. He also created murals, such as the one in the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh, depicting scenes from Scottish literature and history. His paintings and prints were characterised by their vibrant colours, expressive brushstrokes and quirky details.
Byrne received many accolades for his contributions to the arts, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Paisley, a CBE from the Queen and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Scottish BAFTAs. He was also the founder of The John Byrne Awards, a charity that supports young creative talent in Scotland.
Many of his friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Byrne, remembering him as a brilliant, inventive and generous artist and writer, who had a unique vision and voice. His legacy will live on through his works, which have inspired and entertained generations of audiences and viewers.
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