Born in Paisley, John Byrne was a celebrated artist, playwright and theatre designer who attended Glasgow School of Art from 1958 to 1963. Byrne used a variety of styles and techniques, wishing to avoid being associated with any particular artistic style or movement. Between 1964 and 1966 the artist designed book jackets for Penguin Books.
After experiencing a series of rejections from galleries, the artist had success under the pseudonym ‘Patrick’ Byrne, and his career as a professional painter began in 1968. Byrne has designed scenery for several of his own plays, as well as designing record covers for artists such as The Beatles, Billy Connolly, and Gerry Rafferty.
In 2004 he was made an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy, as well as receiving a number of honorary doctorates from the University of Paisley, Gray’s School of Art, the University of Dundee and the University of Stirling.
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