Loyalist killer’s art goes on display

Loyalist killer Michael Stone was today preparing for the first public showing of his art, featuring work valued at up to £25,000.

Thousands of people were expected to visit the exhibition of 25 paintings and sculptures which opens tomorrow in loyalist east Belfast.

Stone, who served 12 years of a sentence for the murders of six Catholics, said he hoped it would provide a positive example as feelings ran high over controversial parades and the peace process.

Stone, 46, who lists Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Max Ernst as his artistic influences, said at a preview showing: ‘‘I think it will be a calming influence.

‘‘It provides a quite atmosphere, people will be able to wander about and chill out.’’

Stone began to paint when jailed for the 1988 killings of three men in a gun and grenade attack at an IRA funeral in west Belfast - as well as three other sectarian murders. He now supports the peace process.

The exhibition of brightly-coloured contemporary work includes paintings he produced in prison with the canvasses made from prison furnishings and linen.

He said: ‘‘I lived with it. Some of it I slept on. There’s a wee bit of history behind most of the prison stuff.

‘‘There was escapism with the art, especially during the lockup.’’

Stone has claimed that among the buyers of his work are political and business figures from as far afield as the US.

The Engine Room Gallery showing over the next four weeks is the first opportunity for the general public to view what has not yet been handed over to collectors.

It also features work carried out since his release from jail, a period during which he set up a community art project for young people in the sprawling Ballybeen estate, Dundonald, on the eastern periphery of Belfast.

One installation entitled ‘‘Alternative Ulster?’’ is a large steel security door of the type placed over the front doors of his homes since his early release from prison a year ago.

Through the peephole is a photograph of Stone during his last week as a prisoner at the now-defunct Maze Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim, a postcard of Parliament Buildings, Stormont - seat of the new political regime - on the reverse.

The highest priced work is called ‘‘Armageddon’’ and carries a price tag of £25,000.

Cliff Brooks one of the gallery directors and himself an artist, rated Stone’s work highly and said: ‘‘His work shows enough promise for him to develop into an extremely good artist.’’

He acknowledged that many people would be drawn to the exhibition by Stone’s notoriety, rather than an interest in art, but added: ‘‘They will come in to see Michael Stone’s work but will hopefully leave with some appreciation of contemporary art.

‘‘That’s good for Michael and the gallery but it’s also good for contemporary art.’’