James Dixon

Born 1887 – Died 1970

Dixon was born on Tory Island, off the west coast of Ireland. He spent his entire life there, working as a crofter and fisherman. He took up painting when encouraged to do so by an English artist visiting the island, Derek Hill. Dixon worked in an untutored style, depicting scenes of rural labour and unusual local events with a loose, feathery brushstroke and a visceral range of colours. His paintings attracted considerable critical acclaim in the 1960s and he exhibited in Belfast, Dublin, London and Vienna.