Julian Campbell marshals the evidence for the existence of two artists called Mahony, both of whom won the admiration of van Gogh
There are certain artists whose work has had great impact in their lifetimes, yet whose names and lives remain little-known. One such is James Mahony from Cork, known for his illustrations of the Great Famine in Ireland. Although they may lack the originality of some of the graphic works by socially engaged 19th-century masters such as Goya, Daumier and Käthe Kollwitz, Mahony’s illustrations for the Illustrated London News (ILN) had huge impact during his day, helping to alert the attention of the English-speaking world to the severity of the famine. These were later admired by the young van Gogh. To an extent, Mahony’s illustrations have become emblematical and are frequently reproduced in history books and articles. People may refer to ‘Mahony’s illustrations of the famine’, but know little about the life of the artist, or indeed about the variety of his work.
Ahead of Dragana Jurisic’s solo show at the RHA in September we republish Stephanie McBride’s examination of the photographer’s 2011 show at the Droichead Arts Centre, studies of urban survival taken during the Celtic Tiger years, revealing Ireland’s struggling society.
Paul Larmour visits the new theatre, which he describes as a boon for the dramatic arts and the most exciting building in Belfast