Artists
Jimmy Bingham
Jimmy first became interested in art while assisting with the painting of the famed “orange murals” in Belfast’s Sandy Row district in the 1930/40’s. Jimmy’s talent and flair for color was recognized by the local drum makers Hewitts of Utility street and was employed by them to decorate their drums on a part-time basis, full-time appointment would have followed but World War II intervened and he was transferred to war work at Belfast’s shipyard.
After the war Bingham moved to London where he pursued a career as a sign maker and mural painter for twenty years, eventually returning to Sandy Row in the mid 60’s. Banner painting and commissions, mainly portraits, became a part time occupation for Jimmy. Part time because as he said: “Painting was a nice wee earner but a man needs a more secure income.” In 1970 Bingham met Dan O’Neill for the first time. The two artists had so much in common they became inseparable painting together on many occasions with O’Neill adopting the role as teacher.
In 1990 the Emer gallery put on its first one man show of Jimmy’s work and have continued to represent him ever since.
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