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Basil Blackshaw ORCHIDS
Lot 37
Price Realised: €20,000
Estimate: €20,000 - €30,000
Basil Blackshaw HRHA, HRUA, 1932-2016
ORCHIDS
Oil on canvas, 35 3/4" x 47" (90.7 x 119.4cm), signed, inscribed and dated 3/5/10.

Basil Blackshaw simply could not escape from the fruits of the garden. His partner Helen Faloon was a gardening fana... Read more
Lot 37 - ORCHIDS by Basil Blackshaw Lot 37 Basil Blackshaw ORCHIDS
Estimate: €20,000 - €30,000
Basil Blackshaw HRHA, HRUA, 1932-2016
ORCHIDS
Oil on canvas, 35 3/4" x 47" (90.7 x 119.4cm), signed, inscribed and dated 3/5/10.

Basil Blackshaw simply could not escape from the fruits of the garden. His partner Helen Faloon was a gardening fanatic winter and summer. Basil often remarked to me "I rarely ever look out that window that I don't see Helen out there bent over either pulling a weed or planting a bulb or a shrub. 

Blackshaw, particularly in later years painted flowers more regularly. Something had to 'touch him off' however to make a flower painting. 

I am thinking of 'Cardboard Flowers for Helen.' It was winter time and she had been away for a few days. The day she was coming home was dull and miserable. Blackshaw decided to make a painting out of bits of cardboard "to brighten up the place to make her happy on coming home." 

Who knows what decided for Blackshaw to paint 'Orchids.' I remember when they were born in the studio. I suspect he was attracted by their regal disposition informed by his awareness of the female empathy with orchids and the sensation of togetherness in marriage or friendship. Only through knowing Blackshaw would one ever understand the relevance of the 'marking off' on the right hand side of the surface of the painting as if with a ruler. This aspect of the painting was triggered by a schoolboy's ruled jotter of dried flowers which Helen picked up in a puddle of water when she and Basil had been over in Galway. Basil was a magpie who stole from everybody but as he often told me "It is what you do with the theft." 

The deceptive simplicity of 'Orchids' lends a magic to the work. The whiteness of the orchids set against a creamy background with a hint of flower shadows makes viewing so easy on the eye.

Eamonn Mallie, 2021.
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