John Bellany : A Life in Self-Portraiture

John Bellany was one of the most significant Northern European Expressionists of the modern era. As with all expressionists his art is highly subjective and autobiographical and his self-portraits range from carefully observed student studies to disguising himself in different roles within his epic pictorial narratives.This book concentrates on the role of self-portraiture in Bellany’s art to trace and present the complex development of his artistic and personal obsessions and shows how he portrayed himself through a variety of mediums, including his private sketch books and a wide range of printing techniques as well as drawings and paintings. It includes a foreword by Helen Bellany, the artist’s wife, plus an essay and interview from exhibition curators’ Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat. Moffat’s account charts his long-term friendship and collaboration with Bellany, from their time at art school up until the latter’s death.

John Bellany was one of the most significant Northern European Expressionists of the modern era. As with all expressionists his art is highly subjective and autobiographical and his self-portraits range from carefully observed student studies to disguising himself in different roles within his epic pictorial narratives. This book concentrates on the role of self-portraiture in Bellany’s art to trace and present the complex development of his artistic and personal obsessions and shows how he portrayed himself through a variety of mediums, including his private sketch books and a wide range of printing techniques as well as drawings and paintings. It includes a foreword by Helen Bellany, the artist’s wife, plus an essay and interview from exhibition curators’ Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat. Moffat’s account charts his long-term friendship and collaboration with Bellany, from their time at art school up until the latter’s death.