Born in Dublin into a family that for generations had been in and out of money, politics and the arts. His grandfather George Belton was a printer and painter and his father Paul Belton was also a printer and painter who opened an art gallery in Dublin in the 1950's called the Cavendish Gallery. From the Liberties in Dublin, Jane Anne Meleady, his mother, was the eldest among twelve siblings and had an artistic and fiery temperament.
Liam Belton attended the National College of Art in the late 60s and became very active in student politics. Following the lockout of students from NCAD, he played an instrumental role alongside a number of peers in establishing their own art college in Temple Bar. Having developed a social conscience at NCAD and becoming involved in left-wing politics, he set up free art classes in Ballyfermot and Ballymun and taught art to the visually impaired for 23 years. Elected to the RHA in 1991, he became an active member and promoted artists welfare. He set up the Friends of the RHA Academy, the RHA archives, the RHA library and the RHA Gold Medal among other initiatives. He was appointed to the Board of The National Gallery in 2002 and is now a full time artist represented by the Peppercanister Gallery.
Biography