Hunt for relatives after rough sleeper who created ‘stunning’ art dies

Clive Dalrymple, who was well known for his paintings, has died just aged 52.

A talented rough sleeper who was well known for his paintings in Manchester centre has died, say reports.

Clive Dalrymple, who was known by many in the city centre for selling his ‘stunning’ art in recent years, has died at the age of 52.

But no family members for Mr Dalrymple have come forward and authorities have not yet located his next of kin.

Earlier this month it is believed the artist was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary and had an operation but died a short time later, according to the M.E.N.

According to the news site, an inquest is due to open on September 3.

It is thought that at the time he died, he had been given a room in supported accommodation and was well-known among various charities in the city, including Shelter.

A charity source told the M.E.N that the artist had a ‘lot of support in the last two years’ to help him back on his feet but his exact housing circumstances are not clear.

One Twitter user, who bought two of Mr Dalrymple’s paintings, thought his work was so good she recommended that Manchester visitors kept an eye out for him.

She wrote in 2016: ‘Look out for #homeless artist Clive Dalrymple selling his stunning paintings on Portland Street in #Manchester.’

Billa Ahmed, who runs a volunteer group helping rough sleepers in Manchester centre said he’d known Clive for years and he was very well known.

Look out for #homeless artist Clive Dalrymple selling his stunning paintings on Portland Street in #Manchester pic.twitter.com/CXAvDa1diY

— Katy Cavanagh (@KatyCavaz) December 14, 2016

He told the M.E.N.: ‘He was a really good artist and we worked with him for a long time…

‘I don’t know how he ended up on the street, he never really spoke to us that much.

‘It’s very sad. These people are somebody’s son, somebody’s brother, just because they made a few wrong choices doesn’t mean you write them off.’

Any relatives who would like to contact Manchester’s coroner’s office are advised to call 0161 219 2222.