Culture That Made Me: Robert Ballagh picks his favourite artists and music 

The artist includes John Steinbeck, James Joyce and Mary Raftery among his selections 

Robert Ballagh, pictured here at the Crawford in Cork, is the subject of The Works, on RTÉ One on Wednesday. Picture: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Born in 1943, Robert Ballagh grew up in Ballsbridge, Dublin, the only child of a Catholic mother and Presbyterian father who imbued in him an activist spirit he carries through life. During the 1960s, he played base guitar for The Chessmen, before becoming a painter and designer.

His commissions include the Riverdance set, dozens of stamps and Irish punt banknotes. His portraits include Noel Browne, which is on display at the National Gallery. He’s profiled on The Works Presents, Thursday, Dec 15, 11.15pm, RTÉ One.