Vale Paul Begg ~ an authentic artist with a penchant for speed and style
Simon Edwards, creative director at Richards Rose, Sydney pays tribute to his friend and former art director partner Paul Begg.
Paul Begg was an advertising art director, graphic designer, industrial designer, furniture maker, champion mountain biker, motorcycling purist, house builder and happiness farmer.
He began his career at Mojo, back when Mo and Jo ran the show, then did stints at Patts, DesignWorks and a host of others, before breaking away from full time employment to spread his own, often esoteric, brand of creativity across a range of distinctly unprofitable projects.
It will never be said that Beggsie was in it for the money.
He was an authentic artist with a penchant for speed and style. He did design work with Deus, and restored motorcycles for himself.
He pulled old bike frames off roadside clean-ups and rebirthed them for his own backyard stunt shows. (That’s was when he wasn’t coaching the Australian Olympic BMX team.)
He also collected and restored old cars, even rebuilding a stunning 911 Porsche called the Rawsche for Droga5 and VB.
He hand built a breathtaking home in the Blue Mountains and then a farm in Oberon. Paul would dip in and out of our business for cash now and then, then live off the smell of an oily rag for months whilst pursuing his eclectic passions. He’d laugh kindly when I’d tell him that one day I’d get out too.
He made friends easily and crossed the globe freely; he was close mates with the offspring of Italian dynasties, Hollywood superstars and even Formula One champions.
But his real love was his true love, Sweet Georgia Lord. She met him late in life and stuck with him till the end.
When I mention Paul Begg, most of you wont even know who I’m talking about. He wasn’t famous in the business, or even a big part of it.
But he was a genuine authentic. A one off. A true original. You would’ve liked him and felt a pang of envy for the selfish and pure choices he made.
Keep riding Beggsie. You’ll be missed by so many.
29 Comments
Oh man, this is awful news. Used to work next door to ‘Katie & Beggsie’ back in Mojo days.
The funniest office.
But then again his partner was pre-comedy Kittie Flanagan.
RIP Beggsie.
The funnest days, eh Andy? What a crew of misfits and marauders.
Nice words, nice way to be remembered.
What a wonderful obituary Simon. RIP Beggsie.
Oh Simon, I am heart broken, Beggsie was such a beautiful, genuine, crazy, clever soul. What a beautiful summation of him, you were such a good friend you have nailed him. I’ve known and been terribly fond of Paul since Mojo days, and he was an early day FBIer – calling out of the blue every now and then to tell me he needed some moola for some crazy project, or some item he just couldn’t make himself when he was building that amazing house in the Blue Mountains. Always a delightful, interesting and caring human being.
Sending heartfelt condolences to his family and Georgia, such a loss. May Beggsie Rest in Peace.
That’s knocked me. Think of Paul everytime I mountain bike. Never got to go with him. Such a cool dude. Positive. Talented. Original. Inspiring.
Met him at Mojo, along with his equally talented twin brother Nigel. Reminder to everyone – follow your passions… live’s waaaaay to short. RIPP.
What a stomach punch.
I too, first encountered Beggsie at Mojo.
There was a whole bunch of us young guys that naturally clung together. We worked together, played together, we were a tight knit bunch.
But that was along time ago and I haven’t seen Paul in decades but I stayed in touch via social media and our shared history.
A nicer bloke you could not meet and I am truly floored by this news.
My sincere condolences to Nigel and the rest of the family.
RIP Beggsie. Say hi to Sam for me.
Devastated to read this sad news , Paul is always in my thoughts as I pass our heritage steel frame windows which he rebirthed for me, I was always so appreciative x I’ll be playing Rocket 🚀 Man in memory of Paul xx Mark@Hollywood
I met Paul while I was on the other side of the camera as a model. It was impossible not to be drawn to Paul’s incredible zest for life and beautiful rawness. We remained friends for decades. He was a truly unique human. The world has lost one of its greats!
Never knew Paul but after reading this I wish I did. Thank you for sharing.
RIP.
A lovely tribute to one of life’s genuinely good people.
He and Nigel were cast in a commercial I wrote for Toyota in which they drove across the Nullarbor for a lark. Just prior to the shoot we heard he might not be available because he’d broken his arm in a skateboarding crash. But he still turned up with a trademark grin. That was about 20 years ago, but weirdly I was thinking about it just a day or so before this awful news.
Nicely crafted words Simo. He sounded like a nice guy.
Those mojo days, …we were a bunch of youngsters working hard to try and feel we had a firm hold on our jobs… all shit scared but trying not to show it. (Well that was me anyway.) I remember how easily Paul created beautiful portfolio-worthy work, and management greeting him warmly in the hallways. The popular kid, the natural. Who didn’t make advertising the centre of his universe. Beautiful words mate, and nice one Beggsie.
Beggsie left an indelible impression on me – literally. I have the scar to prove it just under my right eyebrow, courtesy of a late-night pogoing session in The Stables at Mojo when we collided mid-air. It was, and will remain, a badge of honour. Vale.
Beautiful words Simon. For the small times I crossed his path I could tell he was one of the good ones. Sorry to head
I remember filming Paul do a BMX stunt at a Brisbane music festival. Nigel on a motorbike towed Paul on a BMX into the ramp at speed and then Paul jumped his bike over a bunch of parked cars wearing an Elvis style stuntman jumpsuit. Truly mad buggers and so much fun to hang out with….Rest in peace Paul.
Sorry for your loss Simon. Rest in peace Paul – a beautiful life.
Paul was ahead of his time, around 1998 he borrowed our enormous video camera and gaffa taped it to his helmet for the downhill run at Mt Beauty, needless to say he crashed and broke the camera, but we all laughed it off, those were the days, RIP Paul, our love to Nigel and family.
Perfectly put Simon, he was a true original and a great friend. He leaves a big hole in our lives but we are the better for knowing him.
Great piece on an amazing and unique person
RIP Beggsie X
RIP Beggsie. The best of humans.
My mother, a friend of Paul’s mum Greta, had only just passed on the sad news before I read this wonderful tribute – thank you Ricki for sharing.
Paul achieved and contributed so much on his journey, with so many positives for lots of people who have been enriched by his life.
As a fellow resident of the Upper Blue Mountains, I was privileged to have shared with Paul lots of wonderful social occasions so often accompanied with lively and diverse conversations.
I loved his passion and creative ‘can do’ approach to everything he took a serious interest and then followed through on.
My deep condolences and sympathies to his family and partner Georgia, and to his close friends, for their loss. I wish you all well through the long grieving process.
Thank you dear friend for letting me share a little of your life. I’m richer for having this opportunity.
Vale Paul Begg and I’ll remember you fondly with much love and affection.
Pablo
Well said Eddy. I was the junior Copywriter sans Art Director at Mojo in 89 when I asked Mo and Jo and Ian MacTavish if I could pull Beggsie out of the studio and make him my Art Director and they agreed. Thus began a friendship with kindest, funniest, most generous and decent bloke I’ve ever met. Beggsie had an enthusiasm and a warmth that was infectious and I always, always felt better for having spent time with him. My life was the better for having known you Beggsie and the world is a little poorer for your passing. Love to Georgia, Nigel and the family.
Eloquent words which nicely describe the man Simon.
I’ve known Paul, Nigel and the fam since primary school at Glenhaven Public in the 70s. We were taught in a class of 5 kids where 3 years were educated in one class. It was a new frontier on the outskirts of Sydney and Tony, Paul’s dad was the Australian Lindemans rep where the cask was de rigour which is why I presume Paul always imbibed in moderation.
We all conspired to coerce our parents for Santa to bring us Peugeot racing bikes one Christmas which we rode together everywhere and I can only guess was the beginning of a one of many of Paul’s many passions.
We had a sabbatical for some years and ran into each other by chance on the ferry at Palmy. I was always inspired by his laissez faire attitude to life shrugging off the shackles that come with being in the matrix. I had the privilege of commissioning him on a number of projects where he exercised his considerable talents to leave a small design legacy when compared to his overall portfolio including the interpretation of the second government farm in north western Sydney not far from we both grew up.
I’ve never seen him as happy when he met Georgia who without question is an amazing woman.
He was an individual, an artist and an innovator, a gentle soul and a kind man who lived outside the square. I’ll miss him dearly.
Top young man. He and Kitty worked in the office next to ours at Mojo.
Yesterday’s eulogy was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard anyone say. A humble legend, who’s spirit lives on in us all.
So many facets to this gem of a man, after reading all these tributes it just blows me away how many things he managed to do, he was literally a jack of all trades.
Fondest memories of Paul and twin brother Nigel causing mayhem at mountain bike races, nefarious activities usually involving fireworks or causes of mass distraction, it was either Paul or Nigel or both who could do the most authentic imitation of an air raid siren usually heralded at the opportune moment to raise spirits and lift a lull in local atmosphere.
You will be remembered Beggsy, Thanks for putting this up Simon it is wonderful
Wow it’s July 2022 and for some reason Paul just popped into my head so I googled him. A year and half too late. LIke many in the comments above, I met Paul and Nigel at Mojo in the late 80s when I came in as an AFA grad.
The Begg boys were also doing the rounds of departments, Paul already in print production and Nigel causing chaos in desolate.
I had the pleasure of living in a share house with Paul and also by default Nigel who couch surfed as their bond was very tight. Paul was such a lovable, kind, funny, talented guy. RIP.
I’m very sorry to hear this news and send my late condolences to his family.