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16
16 George Campbell RHA (1917 - 1979)
Shaun Coyle Pianist
Charcoal, 25 x 19cm
Signed and dated ‘45
Both smallish and mustachioed, Dillon and Campbell were largely self-taught. They spent
the War years in each other’s company and became close friends. Their common interests
were ancient Irish monuments, music, theatre, literature, mimicry
19
and the West of Ireland.
Their first commission together of £16 to paint murals on the walls of the Hubert Wilmots
theatre ended with unfortunate consequences. When the mural was almost complete, Dillon
noticed a pigeon trapped in the ceiling of the theatre. In his efforts to release the bird, he
destroyed the mural.
20
Campbell remarked in later years, ‘I know how clichéd it is to talk of
the good old days and I try not to fall into that trap but we did have marvellous laughs and
goodish nights. I say nights because apart from going out sketching we were all painting at
least a 70–80 hour week – covering acres with paint – messing – learning.’
21
Tom Davidson remained close with the group until his death in 1993. He was a pivotal
figure who introduced Campbell to a group of writers, and to musicians such as Shaun
Coyle and Solly Lipsitz.
22
19
Campbell and Dillon were known to dress up and act out different personalities to entertain friends.
20
George Campbell, hand written notes for
Artist and Man: Gerard Dillon Remembered by his Friends
, RTÉ
broadcast, May and June 1974.
21
Ibid.
22
Campbell met Solly Lipsitz at the Ulster Arts Club in the late 1950s.
fig.18: Gerard Dillon and George Campbell,
Newsletter 29/3/1966
fig.19: Gerard Dillon, Sketch drawing for
‘Man resting in a boat, Co. Donegal’, 1947
fig.20: Tom Davidson