'Self-Portrait on Queen's Bridge, Belfast', 1974-1975

Oil on board by Ralph Lillford, 1974-1975.

The artist recalls drawing this patrol of The Royal Regiment of Wales on a day when it rained continuously. The self-portrait on the right-hand side is one of the first occasions when he included himself in a painting, here seen holding a drawing board. This incorporates the artist's original study for the painting, demonstrating his practice of street-drawing.

The patrol had set up a vehicle checkpoint on the bridge and put out bollards to prevent cars from parking near them. They were supported by a Humber 1-ton armoured personnel carrier, nicknamed 'Pig' by the troops - simply because the heavy steering meant these vehicles were a pig to drive.

Between 1971 and 1976, drawn by an interest in the civil conflict, Ralph Lillford made repeated trips to Northern Ireland to draw what he saw in the streets.