Samuel Walsh (British 1934-1989)
Following studies at the Dublin College of Art in 1955, Sam Walsh moved to London and became increasingly identified with Pop artists of his generation. During the five-year period he lived in London he drifted through various jobs while producing murals and portraits.
Although most of his production was composed of portraits, he also produced a number of local and regional scenes, including landscapes and interiors. Stylistically, his work of the 60s is reminiscent of the early work of Hockney and Blake with the brash, large scale imagery and the vivid colours of Pop Art.
In 1960 Walsh moved to Liverpool and from this period onwards he showed widely in the north of England. In 1963 his portrait of Francis Bacon appeared at the John Moores Exhibition, Liverpool and in 1987 his portrait of Samuel Becket was shown at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Progressively included in key shows of Liverpool painters, he took part in the touring show The Face of Merseyside in 1976 and in 1983 in the 1st Merseyside Artists Exhibition touring from the Walker Art Gallery.
A memorial show was hosted at the Walker Art Gallery in 1991.
Public collections include:
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool