John Byrne reveals apology for Paisley's slave trade past in new work

The celebrated Scottish artist John Byrne has revealed a new body of work he has created in lockdown partly in response to his home town’s slave trade past.

Downtown by John Byrne

He says the paintings of black men he has produced for a new exhibition are a “veiled apology” for Paisley’s connections with slavery in the Caribbean in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Some of the new works in the exhibition, which will be launched online by the Fine Art Society in Edinburgh tomorrow, were also influenced by Byrne’s travels in the United States. They include an image of civil rights activist Malcolm X.

Byrne, who turned 80 earlier this year, said: “Paisley’s connections with the slave trade are something I’ve had an interest in for a long time, although I didn’t known anything about it until was in my early twenties.

John Byrne's new exhibition of work will be launched on the Fine Art Society website tomorrow.

“There were so many companies in Paisley and Glasgow that had those kind of connections, but it’s shameful that they’re still not openly discussed.

“I would say the connections between slavery and our tobacco and cotton industries are one of the most embarrassing thing in Scotland’s history.”

The exhibition is being staged by the Edinburgh gallery to coincide with Byrne’s 80th birthday.

He added: “Almost everything was painted during lockdown. I’ve not found it difficult at all. I’ve had peace and quiet to work. It's been bliss."