(1943 - )
Brian Ballard was born in Belfast, where he first trained in art at the College of Art, followed by further study in Liverpool. Some of the first group exhibitions that he participated in were the Butlin Foundation for Young Irish Artists, held at the Arts Council Gallery, Belfast in 1967 and Seven North of Ireland Painters at David Hendrick’s Gallery, Dublin in 1969. His first solo exhibition was held at the Queen’s Gallery, Belfast in 1970. Today Ballard’s paintings have become more figurative in style, focusing on still life, figure studies and landscapes. He lives and works on the remote island of Inishfree off the coast of Donegal, where the natural environment and light provide him with great sources of inspiration. Since the1970s he has continued to exhibit regularly in Belfast, Dublin, Galway, London and Bath. Works by Ballard are represented in numerous public and corporate art collections including the Ulster Museum, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the National Trust and the Irish Intercontinental Bank.
