David Crone has been remembered as one of Northern Ireland’s most respected and influential painters.
The Arts Council of NI said over a career of more than six decades, he made “a profound contribution to the visual arts landscape of Ireland, earning recognition for paintings that captured the complexities of contemporary life with insight, imagination and technical mastery”.
Born in Belfast in 1937, Crone studied sculpture at the city’s School of Art before teaching art at Annadale Secondary School.
In 1975 he joined the Ulster Polytechnic, now Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art, where “he inspired generations of young artists through his commitment to teaching and creative practice”.
“Crone’s early work was deeply informed by the urban environment of Belfast and the social and political realities of the Troubles,” the Arts Council said.
“His paintings explored the fragmented and layered nature of everyday experience, using reflections, screens, shop windows, barriers and changing streetscapes to create richly complex images.
“Through ambiguous figures, mirrored surfaces and symbolic characters, he challenged viewers’ perceptions of reality and revealed the uncertainty and multiplicity of modern life.”
Meadow by David Crone (AENEAS bonner)
Having moved in the 1990s to a rural setting near Ballynahinch, Co Down, his focus shifted to the countryside, yet “his paintings continued to be characterised by layered compositions, visual complexity and a fascination with the ways in which people perceive and inhabit their surroundings”.
Crone’s work was exhibited extensively, including the Fenderesky Gallery in Belfast, Kerlin Gallery in Dublin, the Ulster Museum and Irish Museum of Modern Art.
His paintings were also bought by major public collections including the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Collection and NI Civil Service Art Collection.
He was a member of both the Royal Ulster Academy and the Royal Hibernian Academy.
“His ability to transform ordinary scenes into compelling explorations of perception, memory and place secured his reputation as one of Northern Ireland’s most significant contemporary painters,” the Arts Council said.
The Royal Ulster Academy said: “David was one of Northern Ireland’s most respected painters and a valued member of the Academy for many years.
“His work, insight and contribution to the visual arts have left a lasting legacy.
“Our sincere condolences go to David’s family, friends and colleagues.”
Hillsboro Fine Art said: “A magnificent painter and a truly beautiful human. He will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to share his company.”
David Crone died aged 88 on July 12. Predeceased by his wife Deirdre, he is survived by children Catherine, Michael and family circle.
** The Irish News publishes a selection of readers’ obituaries each Saturday. Families or friends are invited to send in accounts of anyone they feel has made a contribution to their community or simply led an interesting or notable life. Call Aeneas Bonner on 028 9040 8360 or email a.bonner@irishnews.com.