Portadown visual artist Victor Sloan captured decades of life across Northern Ireland

He is still walking about capturing images sharing his unique perspective of the world and has work included in an exhibition of visual art at the Ulster Museum at present.

Former lecturer has huge standing on international art stage

While many in Portadown will know Victor through his visual art or teaching, some may not be aware of his huge standing in the international art scene and how much his artwork is sought after.

Victor’s early life introduced him to the art of photography

Victor, born near Dungannon, Co Tyrone, realised he had a talent for art at primary school in Killyman and he was encouraged. “Some people were good at sport but I was hopeless. I was good at art and won some competitions. Then, as I got older, using my mother’s camera, I won a competition taking a photograph.”

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Victor’s mother Margaret was from Desertmartin and part of a large family steeped in the farming community. His father Isaac was from Armagh City. “There were 10 in his family and they lived in a very small house two up two down. I don’t know how they all fitted in.” Victor moved to Dungannon attending Union Place Primary School and the Royal School. When at the Royal, Victor discovered a talent for music and his mother paid for piano lessons. He recalls his music teacher was blind and used his fingers on top of his students’ fingers to judge how they were playing and to help them find the right note.

“He was very, very good,” said Victor, who played classical music at school concerts, something he dreaded as he is naturally shy.

Victor excelled in art and photography despite obstacles from Co Tyrone Education Committee

Victor attained his Senior Certificate, ‘A’ Levels and also a County Scholarship. “There were only about five people in my year that got County scholarships,” he said, explaining they were rarely given and he felt very lucky as it meant he could go to university.

He qualified in Fine Art (Painting) at Belfast College of Art. “I was accepted into the London School of Film Making in 1968 but the County Tyrone Education Committee wouldn’t give me a grant because they said it wasn’t connected to art.” So Victor couldn’t go. He then applied for Leeds College of Art. “It was very progressive at that time,” said Victor, explaining they were very keen on performance art or ‘happenings’ as it was called then.

He was then sent to Bradford for teacher training which was ‘tough’ as the boys were very ‘challenging’.

“It was very good training when I think back on it,” he admitted.