27 Artists From County Kerry To Take Part In Exhibition In New York City

The aim of the 'A Different Land: Irish Boglands Art Exhibition,' on display from March 20th to April 5th at Magnan Projects on Tenth Avenue, is to increase international awareness of the beauty and uniqueness of Ireland's bog landscapes.

Bog landscapes are said to be one of Ireland's defining features and cover 1.2 million hectares or one sixth of the island. Because of the destruction of bogs across Europe, Ireland's bogs are now attracting increased interest from the scientific and artistic communities and are becoming a major selling point in attracting tourists.

Another characteristic feature of the Irish landscape was the thatched cottage with a rick of turf adjacent to it. No Artist portrayed this feature better than Paul Henry.

The building of a rick of turf is a special skill as the writer, Con Houlihan, once wrote, "If your rick wasn't properly built, it would let in the rain and your work would be ruined. When you knew that your rick was soundly constructed, you looked at it like an Artist admiring one of his or her paintings."

To many of the older generation of Irish bogs are associated with hard work and survival as Ireland's bogs provided the fuel for heat and cooking, however, they are now increasingly acting as a magnet and an inspiration for artists and writers. They are enthralled by the beauty and tranquility of the bog.

Some time ago, Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Chairman of the Sean McCarthy Festival, came up with the idea to hold an exhibition of paintings that are inspired by the unique landscape of Irish boglands.

The result is a collection of outstanding works from twenty-seven artists currently living in County Kerry, Ireland. The exhibition is a testament to the beauty and magic of this often hidden landscape.

The exhibition is being organized in association with the Sean McCarthy Weekend, which is held in Finuge, County Kerry during August.

The majority of the artists in the current exhibition in New York are artists who participated for the past two years in a similar exhibition on bog themes in the Festival.

Jimmy Deenihan expressed his confidence that this Exhibition in New York will be the catalyst for further Exhibitions on bog landscapes in other cities in the U.S.A. and Europe: "This exhibition in New York is providing a window of opportunity for 27 Kerry artists, the paintings reflect the depth of artistic talent in County Kerry.

Hopefully it will give out a strong message to the artistic community in New York that Kerry is not only one of the most beautiful parts of the world to visit but also one with a thriving visual arts community."

The artists involved are: Mary Allen, Julie Beckett, Pauline Bewick, Rebecca Carroll, Carol Cronin, Michael Flaherty, Kevin Frost, Linda Graham, Maurice Hannon, Tricia Healy, Pat Hennessy, Jane Hilliard, John Hurley, Dolores C. Johnson, Eileen Kennedy, Kate Landers, Diane Lavery, Deirdre McKenna, Mary Neville, Michelle O'Donnell, Maureen O'Mahony, Liam O'Neill, Betty Rohan, Bob Scott, John Shaltz, Olive Stack, Rita Thompson.