BRAAQ - Brian Shields
Braaq Brian Shields was a very talented artist from Liverpool. Here you can view his original paintings and links to where you can buy one of his unique paintings. Image property of www.originalpaintings.com
Original paintings from "Braaq" Brian Shields
All images below are property of originalpaintings.com
Original Braaq paintings are available from the Unicorn Galleries below
Brian Shields (1951–1997) was a Liverpool born English painter. He is best known for painting industrial scenes of northern Britain. He acquired the nickname "Braaq" in his school days — on account of his artistic talent he was nicknamed "Braque" after the French artist Georges Braque, a mis-spelling then transformed Braque into Braaq. He was the youngest of a large family (12 siblings), his father Dennis Shields was also an artist, one of his brothers, also Dennis, is a Lanarkshire (Coatbridge) based sculptor and painter.
He held his first exhibition in 1974. In 1977 he was invited to hold four exhibitions in London and at this time was described by The Times as "one of the six most successful artists in England."[1] The Liverpool Echo described him as "Liverpool's Lowry", referring to the similarity in style between his work and that of L. S. Lowry.
In the late 1970s Braaq's sister, Ann, died at the young age of 20. In memory of her, many of his subsequent paintings are signed with both his signature and "Ann". Also several of his pictures show graffiti "Agnes", this is in tribute to his mother. He is also known for painting himself into many of his works as a young boy wearing a black and white striped jumper. Apparently the jumper being the only "new" item of clothing he ever remembered receiving as a young boy.
Most of his working life was spent in Harrogate, initially as a trainee chef. He was "discovered" when murals he painted on the walls of a Harrogate hotel where he worked caused quite a stir and for several weeks there was a search in the local papers for this talented artist. It is generally accepted that this was a planned publicity stunt. Although successful as a living artist it seems he was often faced with financial problems. It is certainly the case that he is well remembered and liked in the Harrogate district and there are numerous anecdotes about painting pub signs for use of facilities; saving to buy a sports car from the local dealer - Harrogate Horseless Carriage as well as getting helping hands throughout his career.
His paintings are well collected and sell for a considerable value, a local Harrogate auction house Morphets, specialises in his painings and provide a listing of previously auctioned pictures, this can be viewed at "http://www.morphets.co.uk/BrianShieldsBraaq1951-1997.asp" Brian was made bankrupt toward the end of his career. He died of a brain haemorrhage. As did his sister Ann.
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He held his first exhibition in 1974. In 1977 he was invited to hold four exhibitions in London and at this time was described by The Times as "one of the six most successful artists in England."[1] The Liverpool Echo described him as "Liverpool's Lowry", referring to the similarity in style between his work and that of L. S. Lowry.
In the late 1970s Braaq's sister, Ann, died at the young age of 20. In memory of her, many of his subsequent paintings are signed with both his signature and "Ann". Also several of his pictures show graffiti "Agnes", this is in tribute to his mother. He is also known for painting himself into many of his works as a young boy wearing a black and white striped jumper. Apparently the jumper being the only "new" item of clothing he ever remembered receiving as a young boy.
Most of his working life was spent in Harrogate, initially as a trainee chef. He was "discovered" when murals he painted on the walls of a Harrogate hotel where he worked caused quite a stir and for several weeks there was a search in the local papers for this talented artist. It is generally accepted that this was a planned publicity stunt. Although successful as a living artist it seems he was often faced with financial problems. It is certainly the case that he is well remembered and liked in the Harrogate district and there are numerous anecdotes about painting pub signs for use of facilities; saving to buy a sports car from the local dealer - Harrogate Horseless Carriage as well as getting helping hands throughout his career.
His paintings are well collected and sell for a considerable value, a local Harrogate auction house Morphets, specialises in his painings and provide a listing of previously auctioned pictures, this can be viewed at "http://www.morphets.co.uk/BrianShieldsBraaq1951-1997.asp" Brian was made bankrupt toward the end of his career. He died of a brain haemorrhage. As did his sister Ann.
[edit] External links