Adams Summer Loan Exhibition - George Campbell And The Belfat Boys 7th July - 3rd September 2015

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1970’s : The Troubles
In 1969, O’Neill was persuaded by George McClelland to return to Belfast and work for his
first solo show in eighteen years. Despite exhibiting in Montreal and Dublin, O’Neill’s lack of
exposure in Ulster meant his work was unfamiliar in his native city. With the help of George
McClelland and his partner Margaret Allen, O'Neill set up a new home and studio. The
works in the May 1970 exhibition were a departure from his moody romantic images. Figures
appeared in surreal landscapes and saturated vivid colour predominated the images. In the
autobiographical painting The Beginning, 1970, O’Neill depicts himself in his new studio
at Malone Avenue with his props, books and brushes. He stopped drinking and, with the
encouragement of Olympic gold medalist, Mary Peters, he joined McShane’s Health Club.165
165Interview with George McClelland, 20 October 2012.
fig.210: Daniel O’Neill, ‘Waiting For
Inspiration’, a self portrait
fig.211: Daniel O’Neill in his Belfast studio
fig.212: Daniel O’Neill, ‘The Beginning’ fig.213: Daniel O’Neill, ‘Belfast Expo 70’