West Coast Flavour
Three artists who live and work near the West Cork coastline will be on show shortly at the West Cork Arts Centre (in association with Cunnamore Galleries). While the work of each of these artists is mature and distinct, their output is linked by the power and freshness of the local landscape. Ian Humphreys spends time not only observing from the shore but also travelling in boats recording images and impressions in small painted studies. The current work of Majella O’Neill Collins likewise deals directly and spontaneously with the sea—focusing upon its power to reinforce, challenge and change emotions. John Simpson is concerned with the geometry and proportions of the elements surrounding him; many of his recent paintings achieve a remarkable sense of depth, giving great distance to offshore outlooks. 4 April – 3 May
 
Travelling Retrospective
Cork’s Crawford Municipal Art Gallery is the inaugural venue for a Pat Moran retrospective. The touring exhibit debuts there before travelling to two other Irish venues. The exhibition of prints and paintings will be the first collective display of his work since his death ten years ago. Pat Moran: February 24-April 5.
 
Irish Art Sales
One of the most popular annual events in the art calendar, the Irish Art Sales promise an impressive line-up of artistic heavyweights, record prices and the odd surprise result to keep vendors and buyers on their toes. Christie’s has joined forces with Ulster Bank Group for two previews from their eighth annual Irish sale, which will be held in London on Thursday 15 May. The Belfast exhibition will be shown at Ulster Bank’s head office in Donegall Square East, and the Dublin preview will be hosted at The Shelbourne Hotel on 30 April and 1 May. James Adam provides two opportunities for art lovers to feast their eyes and exercise their chequebooks on 26 March and 28 May, with both Sales to be held at their salerooms. deVeres opts for the RHA for its Sale on 15 April, Whyte’s returns to the RDS on 29 April, and Sotheby’s Bond Street salerooms is the venue for its Sale on 21 May. deVeres 15 April; Whyte’s 29 April; Christie’s 15 May; James Adam 26 March and 28 May; Sothebys 21 May
 
Ceramics at the Craft Tower
Fresh from a Special Mention at the Showcase Awards 2003, contemporary ceramic artist Ayelet Lalor will exhibit at the Glasgow Art Fair in April. Originally from West Cork, Ayelet attended the NCAD, spent two years in London, then returned to Dublin to set up her own ceramic business in 1998. Her lively and colourful figurative sculptures reflect her infatuation with movement, dance, and the grace of the female form and have attracted great interest—not least of all from the Crafts Council, which has awarded her the Q mark for Excellence in Craftsmanship for the past three years. Catch her at Glasgow or at that hotbed of creative activity, the Craft Tower at the Trinity Enterprise Centre in Dublin.
Glasgow Art Fair 10–13 April
 
Myths at Monaghan
Monaghan County Museum continues to make its mark on the arts map by hosting two versatile talents. Craigavon-based Catriona Shatwell will showcase Celtic glass depicting many scenes and mythical characters from the Ulster cycle of tales such as Macha, Cuchullain and others. Caitriona derives inspiration from travels to archaeological sites. She has travelled extensively around Irish history sites and recreates her cultural insights onto glass. Her art is backed up with studies of textile design at Portadown Technical College. Using past studies, she creates three dimensional images and likens them to tapestry on glass. Also en route to Monaghan is Roger Cummiskey who distributes his time evenly between Dublin and Spain. He specialises in watercolours, taking themes from the writings of James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and other literary/historical personalities. His latest exhibition is titled ‘A Stroll Thro’ Ulysses’ and springs from a lifelong interest in interpreting Joyce visually. Catriona Shatwell: 3–25 April; Roger Cummiskey: 8–30 May
 
Out of this World
Kilkenny-based Marie Foley takes centre stage in the Fenton Gallery, Cork during April. Her sculptural work ‘has the power of sacred objects’ and her drawings are finely rendered. Marie’s work is represented in most, if not indeed all, Irish public collections. Not surprising really, to judge by the following tribute lavished upon her work by Paula Meehan: ‘She can make porcelain feel as thin as skin, as thick as skin. She is an anthropologist of the sublime. Were I asked to nominate something human-made to send, say, on a space mission to find other intelligent beings in the cosmos, I’d choose something of hers. It would certainly show “them” the best of what we can be.’ What more could one ask? Marie Foley 5-25 April
 
Emerging Talents
Emerging young artists Miriam McConnon and Marty Kelly take the floor at ArtSelect in Dublin’s Temple Bar at the end of April. Miriam subscribes to a quiet spirituality in her work which gives her paintings a meditative and serene quality. Her paintings feature dramatic blends of light, colour and form, with architectural references as well as suggestions and abstracts of the human form. She completed her degree with NCAD in 1999 and studied at the Cyprus College of Art. Marty has a BA Honours in Fine Art from the University of Ulster. Her work is abstract in form with a warmth and earthiness of colour and texture that draws the observer into the situations depicted. Miriam McConnon and Marty Kelly: 29 April