Braaq

Braaq (Brian Shields) was born in Liverpool in 1951, His father Dennis Shields was a highly regarded artist but on account of having twelve children was unable to support his family through painting alone. Brian's eldest brother pursued a successful career in America as a sculptor.

The unusual name of ‘braaq’ is a misspelling of the famous French artist Braque which, on account of his artistic talent as a boy, was his nickname at school.

The name ‘Ann’ after his own signature was his sister who died at the young age of 21 and to whose memory all of his subsequent paintings were dedicated.

Brian was discouraged from becoming a professional artist and after leaving school became a trainee chef in a somewhat drab hotel in Harrogate. In an attempt to brighten the place he painted a mural. This mural caused a great deal of interest in the area but as he had signed it ‘Braaq’, the true identity of the artist remained a mystery until a local journalist identified Brian Shields as the painter.

From this point he never looked back, holding his first exhibition in 1974. In 1977 he was invited to hold his first of four exhibitions in London’s West End. It was after this exhibition that ‘The Times’ described him as “one of the six most successful artists in England”.

All Braaq’s paintings are based, in a humorous way, on his childhood memories of Liverpool. He frequently painted himself as a boy wearing a striped jumper.

In 1997 at the age of 46 Brian died, leaving a contribution to the art world which ranks him among the leading artists in the country.

We are always interested in purchasing Braaq’s originals, please contact us if you are wishing to sell.

  • Braaq - Winter Church Scene
    Braaq
    Winter Church Scene
  • Braaq - Canal at Widnes, Winter
    Braaq
    Canal at Widnes, Winter
  • Braaq - Christmas (Don’t Care if it Does Hurt)
    Braaq
    Christmas (Don’t Care if it Does Hurt)
  • Braaq - York Races
    Braaq
    York Races
  • Braaq - Industrial Landscape
    Braaq
    Industrial Landscape
  • Braaq - He’ll Tell Anyway
    Braaq
    He’ll Tell Anyway
  • Braaq - Old Man in Hat
    Braaq
    Old Man in Hat
  • Braaq - Girl and Dog Watching
    Braaq
    Girl and Dog Watching
  • Braaq - The Balloon Seller, ‘I Want One!’
    Braaq
    The Balloon Seller, ‘I Want One!’
  • Braaq - Nine Humans
    Braaq
    Nine Humans
  • Braaq - Man Carrying Newspapers
    Braaq
    Man Carrying Newspapers
  • Braaq - Gentleman Wearing a Bowler Hat
    Braaq
    Gentleman Wearing a Bowler Hat
  • Braaq - Self Portrait, Sneaking a Cigarette
    Braaq
    Self Portrait, Sneaking a Cigarette
  • Braaq - Siblings
    Braaq
    Siblings
  • Braaq - Self Portrait with small Boy
    Braaq
    Self Portrait with small Boy
  • Braaq - Told You I’d Do It
    Braaq
    Told You I’d Do It
  • Braaq - Northern Street Scene
    Braaq
    Northern Street Scene
  • Braaq - Ramleys
    Braaq
    Ramleys
  • Braaq - Self Portrait with Another Boy
    Braaq
    Self Portrait with Another Boy
  • Braaq - Children and Dogs Playing in the Snow
    Braaq
    Children and Dogs Playing in the Snow
  • Braaq - Skaters
    Braaq
    Skaters
  • Braaq - Got Sand in Me Cossie
    Braaq
    Got Sand in Me Cossie
  • Braaq - Winter Evening
    Braaq
    Winter Evening
  • Braaq - Sunday Cricket
    Braaq
    Sunday Cricket
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