John Bellany RA, CBE (1942-2013)

Born at Port Seton, Scotland in 1942 Bellany grew up amongst fishermen and boat builders, the influence of which was to be seen in his later work. He moved to London in 1965 to study at the Royal college of Art.  His work frequently reflected his association with the sea and the turmoil of his own personal life – and brushes with death. He underwent a liver transplant in the 1980s which inspired a series of works capturing his experience. He was found dead in 2013 in his studio, clutching his paintbrush.