THE first retrospective of Renfrewshire artist and playwright John Byrne for more than two decades opens in Glasgow today.

A Big Adventure charts the career of the Paisley-born polymath, known for works including his play The Slab Boys and the 1987 TV show Tutti Frutti, which starred Robbie Coltrane and Emma Thompson.

One highlight of the show at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a room displaying more than 40 self-portraits, described as the most ever displayed at one time, spanning 1963 to 2020.

Paintings of famous figures including Byrne's former partner Tilda Swinton and Billy Connolly also feature, along with more intimate studies of close family and friends.

Mr Byrne, 82, said: "It's been a real pleasure working with Glasgow Museums on this retrospective. I've been in and out of Kelvingrove my whole life.

"It's a delight to be reunited with works I've not seen in years, especially as they are hanging on the walls of a place I, and so many people, love.

"I'm glad that, with the help of so many friends who've loaned artworks, we've been able to showcase a really broad range, from murals to storyboards and everything in between.

"I suppose you could say it tells much of my life story. I hope visitors enjoy it, seeing art should be fun."

A Big Adventure has seven sections and opens with a brief look at Mr Byrne's early life.

The artist speaks fondly of growing up in Paisley and of working as a slab boy, mixing paint for the designers at AF Stoddard & Co carpet factory after leaving school.

In 1958 he was accepted to study at Glasgow School of Art (GSA) and later returned to AF Stoddard & Co as a carpet designer, teaching evening classes at GSA.

During this time, he sent a small painting to London's Portal Gallery, pretending it was the work of his father and creating an alter ego, Patrick.

The gallery offered 'Patrick' his first solo exhibition and, to this day, Mr Byrne occasionally signs his works with that name.

The exhibition also explores his passion for music and writing, as well as his influence on Scottish culture through his collaborations with other artistic figures such as Connolly and the late singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty, who also hailed from Paisley.

A Big Adventure runs until September 18.