28 Sep
2011

chris wilson

Here is the new 'Horizons' sculpture by Chris Wilson which was recently installed in Roscommon

It was commissioned by Property Registration Authority in Roscommon under the per cent for art scheme by the Office of Public Works for the Property Registration Authority.The medium is Di-bond with LED lighting and it measures 4.5 x 2.3 meters.

This site specific artwork uses the idea of maps to depict a landscape that is transformed from an aerial perspective to a traditional linear perspective with a small house placed along the horizon line. Additional layers below the surface map refer to information on land ownership. The three layers are backlit with LED lighting.

25 May
2011

Breon O'Casey 1928-2011

I am very sorry to say that Breon O'Casey passed away on Sunday 22nd May 2011. He was a much-loved artist . A man with huge talent and a heart to match. Breon was in our first-ever exhibition 10 years ago next month. We have had the honour of exhibiting his work ever since. With Breon's permission I included a small piece of his writing in our catalogue for his solo exhibition which is currently showing in the gallery . I thought you might like to read them too.

“Although I live in the country, I’m not a landscape painter. I find the landscape too difficult to control and arrange into any sort of meaningful pattern: not the wood, not the tree but the leaf; not the distant view, but the hedge; not the mountain, but the stone. I have no windows in my studio, only skylights.
From my garden I can see the church tower of St Paul de Leon and the surrounding trees rising above the village of Paul: straight lines and curves. In the garden is the Tai Haku cherry tree: in the spring a mass of white blossom tinged with pale green and pink, in the summer a pattern of sturdy leaves, in the autumn as the leaves turn yellow then deep red, the whole garden is filled with a burnished golden light. Where is the need to look further? Look closely at the grim granite walls of the house, and they are a feast of myriad colours – delicate pinks and ochres, a thousand different greys” In the summer the dragonflies' sharp metallic colours against the deep green of the hedge. The incredible hue of the magpie's wing, which is not black but blue. The harsh Burnt Sienna red of the glimpsed fox against the umber ploughed filed. The black and white cat with pale green eyes and pink nose, crossing the emerald green lawn. Ben Nicholson's blackbird with yellow beak in the holly bush; and in the winter the violets and purples of the bare trees against the grey Cornish skies." Breon O'Casey, 1999

Caroline

21 Apr
2011

Chris Wilson Retrospective Strule Arts Centre Omagh

Chris Wilson Retrospective Strule Arts Centre Omagh until 21st May

Hope you can get along to see Chris Wilson's retrospective in Omagh. The exhibition "Land Marks" showcases his work from 1985 to 2010 . While you are there of course you will be able to see his public sculpture "Treelines" which is a permanent sculpture outside the Arts Centre in Omagh

'Chris's practice involves the exploration of locations through the use of maps. The locations include interior spaces and landscape. The maps are used to create references to location both metaphorically and symbolically and to provide the basis for explorations of space. The significance of maps with their territorial references are used to investigate the illusion of three dimensional space created from materials normally read as flat. Particular works including 'Mainland' and 'Land & Sea' employ multiple perspectives and opposing view points." "Chris's practice involves the exploration of locations through the use of maps. The locations include interior spaces and landscape. The maps are used to create references to location both metaphorically and symbolically and to provide the basis for explorations of space. The significance of maps with their territorial references are used to investigate the illusion of three dimensional space created from materials normally read as flat. Particular works including 'Mainland' and 'Land & Sea' employ multiple perspectives and opposing view points.' Strule Arts Centre, Omagh

5 Feb
2011

Michael McGuinness Retrospective Limavady

Michael's retrosepctive is on in Limavady until 26th February. This important retrospective is an unique opportunity to see a large body of Michael's work over a 30 year period. ........congratulations to Michael. An amazing exhibition.

I voted one of Michael's flower paintings which was in mullan gallery as the most popular "artists choice" ever ! SO many artists walked in the door of the gallery and went straight to this painting. It was unbelievable ! (but not surprising). This exhibition will have the same impact.

Limavady The Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre/Ionad Ealaíon agus Cultúir Ghleann na Ró

24 Main Street, Limavady
County Londonderry
BT49 OFJ T: 028 7776 0650

EXHIBITION RUNS: 14 January to 26 February 2011

This major retrospective exhibition of the work of Michael McGuinness marks a homecoming for a Limavady artist who has become one of the finest Irish painters of his generation.

Michael left Limavady over 30 years ago to live as an artist in London. Each summer he returns to paint landscapes in Limavady and Portstewart. Many of these images now adorn the walls of private collectors of irish art internationally.

To celebrate the official opening of the RVACC, it is absolutely fitting that we present this unique exhibition featuring a selection of his paintings and drawings produced over the last thirty-five years, and available for viewing together for the first time in Limavady.

The artist studied in Coventry, Belfast and the Slade School of Fine Art in London. He has exhibited extensively in London galleries, UK, ireland and abroad.

Michael will host a talk on his work which is open to the general public on Thursday 24 February at 7pm. This is a unique opportunity for students and artists to hear about Michael`s creative beginnings, process and view extensive images of other work undertaken . Michael has previously lectured at the Tate Gallery and the Hayward Gallery, London.

Admission is free, however places must be booked in advance.

The Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre

24 Main Street , Limavady. BT 49 OH

Tel 028 7776 0650

3 Jul
2010

News Section

Annual Summer Holiday

Mullan Gallery will be closing on 8th July and reopening on 9th August. We will have irregular access to email from 8th -24th July so there may be some delay in my reply if you contact me during this period. Viewing is available by appointment from 27th July - 8th August. We reopen again with our summer exhibition which continues until mid September when Ann Quinn will be exhibiting in a solo exhibition.

Thank you for your continued support and I hope you enjoy your summer,

Caroline Mullan.

2 Jul
2010

Public Art: Chris Wilson at Tollymore

Chris Wilson’s new public sculpture 'Landmarks' at Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, Co Down, was officially unveiled on 16th June so if anyone is up around Tollymore or Newcastle you may want to go and have a look at this sculpture which is almost ten feet tall.

Chris Wilson is known to many in the gallery having shown with us for seven years now but few realize they are looking at Chris's public sculpture in places such as Ardglass, Omagh, Newcastle, Toombe Bypass, the Mourne Mountains and now Tollymore. I can only describe this work as stunning.

It provide a three dimensional vision of his practice which is involved with the exploration of locations through the use of maps.

Public commissions:

2010 Landmarks, Tollymore Mountain Centre, Bryansford, Co.Down

2009 Oceans Edge, Down District Council, Ardglass harbour, Co.Down.

2007 TreeLines, Omagh Arts Centre, Omagh, Northern Ireland

2007 Interpreting the Mournes, Down District Council, Happy Valley, Mourne Mountains.

2007 River Lines, Commissioned by TIDAL, Toome Bypass, Co.Antrim

2006 Global Journeys, Down Distrcit Council, Newcastle, Co.Down

2005 Landscape Lines, stainless steel & neon map works, Northern Ireland Railways, Central Station, Belfast

Congratulations to Chris who is working to enhance our rural and urban environment with his vision. Click on the gallery artists' tab on the home page to view Chris's work which is currently in the gallery for viewing.

Artist's Statement

For a number of years my art practice has focused on the use of maps and mapping strategies for the creation of both large-scale public artworks and indoor installations.

This sculpture for Tollymore Mountain Centre employs mapping designs to create a large bronze sculpture that focuses the viewer on both the activities of the Tollymore Centre and also on the scale and geography of the Mourne Mountains. The design is aimed to compliment the architecture of the new building and in particular the offset glass window designs.

To achieve this the sculpture consists of the idea of large sections (suggesting massive stone slabs), slightly displaced, the surface is detailed with contour designs drawn from Mourne locations or “Wild Places”.

At strategic points climbing figures (modelled in 3-D) are placed, ie, at overhangs, edges and also along the top ridge, these figures are engaged in climbing and hiking activities. The small scale of these figures aims to emphasise the scale and bulk of the actual mountains and thereby create connections between people and place. The design is intended to refer people to the aims of the Mountain Centre, adventure, excitement and challenge.