Mary Duffy
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Sea, Sky & The Square Mile
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Mary Duffy
Exhibition Opening 
Signal Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow - March 7, 2008 -
By now I hope you have all received an invitation to the reception for my exhibition which opens this day week. If you haven't, please take this email as all the invitation that you need, or contact me and I will send one straight away by regular mail, email or failing all else, carrier pigeon :-)
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Frolicking Bullocks and the momentary longing for arms to go WHOOSH!
Now that my paintings are finished and framed, and awaiting delivery to the Signal Arts Centre, its tempting to think its been a doddle... After all, I have got amazing support...These two photos remind me of how challenging it's been. Early last September I went out painting one Sunday afternoon... with cattle in the field next to me, I was confident I was safe in the field I had chosen.
I settled down, spread out my stuff, and Susi, one of my Personal Assistants (on our first day out together), went off to get some tea bags from the car quarter of a mile away..... It was then I heard bedum, bedum, bedum... and turned in horror to see twenty frolicking bullocks ambling towards me.. I was rooted to the spot...I had the longing at that moment to have arms to go Whoosh!...But as I don't, it was one of those moments when I reconsidered my general view that 'arms are over-rated'.. Susi quickly returned to my side... Many would hae taken off at a gallop at this point, and I am glad she didn't.... But soon we were both surrounded by the big, playful (and scary) animals and although it was probable they wouldn't harm us intentionally, it was also clear that with their leaping and lepping, we could be caught in the crush... They drooled on my canvas, knocked over my easel, stomped on my stool, nosed my lunch bag and generally wrecked the set up.
So of course, I did what I know what to do best when in need of defending so I opened my mouth wide. And started singing. What came out was 'Swing Low Sweet Charolais', and those who know my singing know that its enough to scare even these big hoofers. Other know that my singing, while very loud and mostly tuneless, can have its own charms.. As so it was with these cattle.. and when one playfully and appreciatively went to nudge me in the belly, Susi and I started backing away slowly...very slowly. I left behind everything, including my shoes and was glad to squeeze through the gate again.
The photo to the right show Dens, my partner, and Frank our friend, going back for all my stuff. And did we go home and put our feet up? Not on your nelly! No, off to the next spot where there were lovely green rushes waving in the breeze... and I snuggled down among them and got my brushes out and created the image above... 'Rushes in Late Summer'. And no, I didn't used the drooled on canvas either...
"Find out more...http://www.maryduffy.ie
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About Sea, Sky & The Square Mile
It's all about the big skies, watery marshes, deep dykes, lush, green woodlands and ever changing seashore.
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About 'Sea, Sky & The Square Mile'
March 4th -16th 2008
Signal Art Gallery, Bray
OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY MARCH 7TH AT 7.30pm
This is my second solo exhibition of paintings. Inspired by the unique landscape of a rare fen habitat at Blackditch, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow, the show is entitled 'Sea, Sky & the Square Mile'. The paintings are a vibrant, colourful exploration of big skies, watery marshes, deep dykes, lush, green woodlands and the ever changing sea that form part of one of the largest wetland complexes on the east coast of Ireland.
A graduate of the National College of Art and Design in Dublin (1983), I established an international reputation as a photographer and performance artist, exhibiting and performing in venues across the world, including the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, the National Museum of Photography in Tokyo, the Maplin Gallery, Sheffield and New Langton Arts in San Francisco. Since mounting my first solo show in the Belltable in Limerick (1989), I've received numerous commissions and awards, including the Gracie Fields Live Arts Bursary and my photographic work has been included in the National Self-Portrait Collection.
In the mid 1990s, I took a creative detour into journalism and broadcasting, working as a programme-maker, researcher and producer in RTE, during which time my first radio documentary "The Lino Crossing - Tales of the Observed" was nominated for the international radio award, the Prix d'Italia.
Two years ago I returned full-time to my first love, painting. I work outdoors in all kinds of weather. This square mile of marsh, fen and woodland is a very exciting place for me, especially in the winter time. At the moment, there are flocks of geese that make the most fantastic sounds.
My first solo exhibition was held in the Bold Gallery, Galway, last summer, and the Bold Gallery is currently showcasing some of my other work. A fan of the internet and innovation, I also exhibit and sell my work via my website www.maryduffy.ie. Scoring more than 27,000 hits in its first year of operation, the site includes a series of promotional videos relating to the making of the work for this exhibition.
'Sea, Sky & The Square Mile' is being supported through a bursary funded by both arts councils in Ireland through the Arts & Disability Forum.
CONTACT DETAILS
e-mail maryduffy@ireland.com
telephone 01-2810839 and via the website www.mary.duffy.ie
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Mary Duffy, Artist
WWW.maryduffy.ie
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Mary Duffy, Artist
www.maryduffy.ie
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