Two New Showstopper Exhibitions Launch At WGOA
The Waterford Gallery of Art on O’Connell Street was delighted to launch two new exhibitions this month showcasing some of the very best artistic talent in Ireland and the South East. Launched by Mayor of Waterford City and County, Councillor Jason Murphy, the packed-out gallery celebrated an exquisite retrospective of paintings by Catherine Barron, as well as the group show, ‘Faith in the Process’ which includes highlights from the historic Waterford Art Collection alongside newer artworks, commissions and loans.
Titled, ‘You couldn’t make it up’, Barron’s exhibition in the downstairs galleries includes salvaged metal plates, vintage 78rpm records, book covers, and playing cards – all serving as the artists canvas to reveal a deeply personal, as well as allegorical, biographical journey. Catherine Barron is a Carlow born artist though has lived and works in Dungarvan co. Waterford since 2017. She has won numerous awards for her artwork and is represented by the prestigious Dublin-based, Molesworth Gallery.
Speaking of her work, Barron said, “What I realise is that the ordinary is extraordinary, and all that pains or brings joy can be realised with gratitude, wonder and awe. The power of the imagination does not lie in its ability to invent, but to see more deeply, what is. And what is, is so awesome, you couldn’t make it up!
As Luke Currall, curator of the Waterford Art Gallery, notes in the introductory text to Catherine Barron’s exhibition, it is “through this experiential entry into, and reworking of time, memory and uncertainty, that a tender and life affirming mystery and magic quietly reveals itself in the artworks of Catherine Barron.”
The gallery’s ‘Faith in the Process’ exhibition, launched in its large upstairs space, includes artworks from the Waterford Art Collection, as well as loans and commissions, informed by religious or spiritual experience. Artists exhibiting include: George William Russell (AE), Mainie Jellett, Evie Hone, Father Jack P Hanlon, Annie Shaw, John Foley, Ireland3000, Pat O’Brien, Gerhardt Gallagher, Rayleen Clancy, Ben Henessy, Patrick Collins, Canon T Patrick, Louisa Marchioness of Waterford, Imogen Stuart and more.
On show is work by “the faithful, priests, mystics, lapsed Catholics as well as converts, chanNelers of the transcendental, objectives seekers of enduring tradition, works of commemoration and memorial, and ventures into mythical visualisations”. The gallery was particularly delighted to present significant new works by Rayleen Clancy of An Rinn, Waterford-born photographer, John Foley, Icons by Dungarvan-based Annie Shaw and large graphic prints by Limerick-born, Berlin-based artist, Ireland 3000 (Brian O’Shea).
The opening also saw the chance to launch a new painting by Pat O’Brien created in memory of Waterford native and local musician, Conor Cleare. The gallery is incredibly grateful to Hannah Brennan and the family and friends of Conor for their assistance and permission for this beautiful and poignant work to be shared publicly.
Both exhibitions are free and are open until August 16th. The exhibitions were made possible through the continued support of Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Arts Office, Arts Council, Dr Abdul Bulbulia and the family of Gerhardt Gallagher.
