Three generations of Limerick artistic talent on show

MUM and daughter Barbara and Clare Hartigan were due to host a joint art exhibition in March 2020 but we all know what happened in that fateful month.

Ironically, it was to be called Togetherness at a time when we couldn’t be together due to Covid.

But the passage of time has allowed two generations showcasing their creative talent to become three.

Clare’s son Oisin, aged 22, will join mum and gran in bringing their artistry from Castleconnell to the Red Door Gallery in Newcastle West.

The art exhibition, entitled Catching the Wind, will be opened at 7.30pm this Thursday, March 16 by Paul Foley, Limerick GAA central council delegate.

“It is based on the title of a Donovan song and the idea of capturing the uncatchable. Things like the flicker of light, the wind, emotions and memories,” said Clare.

Barbara may be pigeon-holed as portrait painter but her work always has a focus on capturing the play of light in nature. The majority of the work shown in this show will be from Barbara’s new collection.

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Recently her focus has turned to the interaction of light with texture. Barbara, a master of colour, uses the most beautiful colour combinations so that the viewer can’t help but be inspired to look a little deeper.

Clare’s work is both energetic and fluid with delicate bands of colour dancing across a white background. The focus of her paintings is capturing the invisible, things like the wind, movement memories and emotions.

Clare will be showing her newest body of work which is painterly with both semi abstract and surrealist tones. The idea that things and memories can occupy the same place in different times is the focus of her latest collection.

Oisin is a fourth year print student in Limerick School of Art and Design. His style is progressive and still in flux, as it should be in his tender years. The work submitted for the show is based on patterns and repetition.

Oisin has a dreamy narrative in his work that tells a story that draws you in and seems to appeal to all ages. His is very contemporary with a focus on working with both digital and manual print media.

Oisin recently launched a range of stickers that solidifies the idea that art is for all ages and should be seen in unexpected places.

The show will run until March 25 with the Red Door Gallery open on Wednesday to Saturday from 12 to 4pm, except for Daffodil Day (March 24) when the doors will open at 10am for a coffee morning.