Solas Art Gallery
Harald de Bary Press Release
“QUESTIONS OR ANSWERS” AT THE SOLAS GALLERY.
An intriguing new exhibition is opening at the Solas Gallery in Ballinamore on Fri Sept 10th. “Questions or Answers” is a culmination of over 30 years work by German artist Harald de Bary and is the first showing of this major collection in Ireland.
De Bary was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany and started painting at the age of 12. He studied with four of Germany`s well known painters of the group “Quadriga“ and went on to study Art history and Philosophy at Frieburg University and abstract painting in Stuttgart. After that he studied in France and went on extended travels in North Africa, studying the rock paintings of Tassili and crossing the Sahara until 1971. He then visited the famous German writer Heinrich Boll at his house on Achill and in `72 bought Derenkeher Schoolhouse in Leitrim where he now lives with his wife Erika. He has continued to exhibit in Germany where his work is highly regarded and sought after.
Harald`s work is very much influenced by his past and present experiences, and even though his neighbours expected “nice” pictures like landscapes, Harald`s work goes further than that whilst still being pleasing to the eye and intriguing. Like many great masters of modern art Harald de Bary`s aim is not to repeat or imitate by painting the forms of nature, but to discover and bring to appearance by an artistic process an inner world of his own. This world is very apparent when one sees his studio, the whole schoolroom filled with his art and life, as is the rest of this beautifully and sympathetically restored schoolhouse, whereas outside you would expect to still see the children pouring forth after the bell has rung, illustrating his deep respect for the past as well as the present.
The paintings start off from when he moved to Ireland in the 70`s. They are” walls of colour” some of which could conjure up the Irish landscape. “Floating Green” and “Blue Flowing” exemplify this. The exhibition moves on to the 90`s and takes a different direction, using old tempera techniques , building up layer on layer, the work has a softer feel to it. The main bulk of the exhibition is work created during the last 10 years. From paintings like “Hertzkammer abschied” and “Blue Accents” to the drawings, “Glass of Absinth”; “Inspector” and the stunning “Before Sunrise” this is a chance to view an amazing volume of one mans work. Harald will of course be at the opening and it will be a great opportunity to meet this most interesting artist.
“Questions or Answers” will be opened on Fri 10 Sept at 7.30 by Niall Delaney. An accomplished corporate consultant he is a past vice-president of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland. Delaney has worked with Irish and international clients across all business sectors and has a particular interest in natural healthcare, being a close friend of naturopath Jan de Vries. The Exhibition will run until 2nd October. All are welcome and if you can’t attend the opening the Gallery is open 10-6 Mon- Sat , located above the “Four Seasons Garden Centre” in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. For any queries please contact Gail or Ben at 071 9644210, email info@solasart.ie or visit our website www.solasart.ie
‘On The Wall’ Open Group Exhibition
Open to members and non-members
Solas are inviting members and non-members to submit work for an exciting new exhibition at the Gallery in November.
“On The Wall” will be the first of its kind for Solas, showing alternative art forms in various types of media. As the name implies, the emphasis will be on work, which can be wall hung. Small sculpture (wood, metal, paper or stone), non-digital prints, glass, ceramics, wall hangings, felting, weaving, found objects … The list is as endless as your imagination and skill! (on this occasion we are not looking for paintings, drawings and photographs). The aim of this exhibition is to stretch ourselves as artists and introduce the public to new and different forms of art.
Some points to consider in your submission:
- We have a limited number of plinths at the gallery (sculpture). Tall, stable floor standing pieces may be considered. All pieces submitted for hanging should be presented in the usual convention for hanging at Solas (pair of hooks fixed to the back of the work) or suitable for hanging from picture hook and rail. Work cannot be fixed directly to the wall. There can be no exceptions to this.
- Up to 3 pieces per artist can be submitted. A non-refundable fee of €5 per piece is payable by non-members. Members are covered by their membership fee.
- Artists should include a brief (up to 50 words) explanation of the work with each submission.
- Maximum size for wall pieces is 60cm x 60cm if submitting three works. One single larger piece may be considered.
- The gallery is on the first floor so all work has to be carried up a flight of stairs. Large stone or cast pieces are not suitable.
- Selection will consider size /weight, originality, quality of work and presentation.
Pre-selection will be done by photo submission. Please supply at least 2 good images of each work you are submitting – these should be photographs (not disc or email). If your work is chosen in this preliminary selection, you will then be asked to bring it to the gallery for a final selection.
Completed application forms, fee (if applicable) and photos of work should be marked “On the Wall” and posted or hand delivered to Solas Gallery, Main St, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim to reach the Gallery no later than Saturday 9th October 2010. You can download an application by clicking on the ‘Download Application’ below. “On The Wall” will run from 5th – 27th November 2010.
We look forward to receiving your submission. If you have any further queries about this exhibition please contact Sandra Vernon 071 9625276 sandra@solasart.ie.
Gail Quinn, Secretary
Harald de Bary Solo Exhibition Sept.
Harald de Bary Solo Exhibition Sept. 10th – Oct. 2nd
Images and info will be posted shortly
Colleen Quinn Press Release
GOING DOWN “MEMORY LANE” at SOLAS
Not only is there a Festival in Ballinamore but there is a festival of memories opening at the Solas Gallery in Ballinamore, this Friday the 13th August at 7.30. “Memory Lane “is the new exhibition by well known Ballinamore artist, Colleen Quinn, her second solo show at the Gallery since its opening.
Originally from Chicago where she studied art and among other qualifications got her Bachelor of Fine Art in Graphic Design. Now living just outside Ballinamore with her husband Donal and three children in an area that just inspires creativity, Colleen is well known for the beautiful and sensitive images that she draws and paints.
This exhibition really does take you down Memory Lane. Executed in pastels, charcoal or watercolours, the pictures strike chords in ones memories, either of past childhoods or tales from parents or grandparents. The nostalgia of “Uncle Paddy`s Truck”, “Gran`mas Chair”, “Fair Day” and “Farmers Buckets” remind us of scenes not that long in the past; the excitement of “Race to school” and the gentleness of “Buddy”, interspaced with pictures of flowers, an old fashioned pink rose, so soft you could almost touch it or the orchids that still sit on so many windowsills. All these and a lot more, combine into a worthwhile exhibition to call in and visit, even more so if our August weather runs true to form.
The exhibition “Memory Lane” will be opened on Fri 13th August at 7.30pm by Barry Sweeney of RehabCare, Ballinamore. Barry has had a long and positive relationship with the arts in his home town. Having made the Rehab venue available to the local arts group for many years, this is how Colleen became acquainted with him. The exhibition will be open until 4th Sept so even if you cannot make the opening, you are welcome at any time, local and visitor alike. The gallery, situated above the Four Seasons Garden Centre, is open Mon – Sat. 10am – 6pm.
For any further information, how to join the gallery or to exhibit, please look on our website, www.solasart.ie; email: info@solasart.ie or phone Gail or Ben 071 9644210.
Group July2010 PR
NEW ART @ SOLAS
This year`s summer exhibition at the Solas Gallery, Ballinamore brings an outstanding exhibition of over 60 new works, many by artists not seen before at the gallery. The exhibition opens on Fri 16th July and coincides with the popular annual Ballinamore Festival. Primarily a membership gallery, new artists becoming members gives the public a unique opportunity to see their work and artists to exhibit for the first time at Solas. The artists showing their work at this exhibition come from as far afield as Castlerea, Co. Roscommon to Co. Cavan, Roosky to Co. Sligo including many from the locality.
The large amount of work sadly precludes describing each picture and artist, so this is a random selection of pieces from the high standard of work on show. The various mediums used include oils; acrylics; watercolours; pastels; charcoal; pen & ink as well as some sculptural pieces. The latter include two slate/ceramic pieces, “Kinvara I & II” by Helen Pinoff and a ceramic from Brendan Deans Fine Art Degree show. The work ranges in subject matter from flowers to portraits, landscapes to still life. “Jack” by Gabrielle Flynn and “W B Yeats” by Colleen Quinn are great examples of portraiture while there are landscapes in all sizes and styles by popular local artists Marie Lee, Mary Wilson, Freda Young, Gareth Boyle and new members Mike Hawthorne, Anton Fluri to name but a few. An expressive “Basset” by new young artist Barry O`Donoghue and “Untitled”, an interesting oil by Amy McGovern from her Fine Art Degree exhibition show that there are always talented young artists out there and it is good that the Solas Gallery can support them. A different style of work from Jeweller Anna Marie St.Claire catches the eye, where she has mounted a silver piece on a small background oil painting. This is just a small sample of the work from some of the new artists in this exhibition, it is certainly worth visiting.
The “Summer Open Exhibition” will be opening on Fri 16th July at 7.30pm and will run until Weds 11th Aug. The exhibition will be launched by Sean O`Suilleabhain, Leitrim County Librarian. Sean has been County Librarian for 32 years and is very supportive of many local community activities. He feels that libraries and art are very akin to each other, both there for the pleasure and knowledge of the community. His opening talk should be of great interest to public and artist alike. At an open exhibition like this, many of the exhibiting artists are there at the opening, so it is a great opportunity to meet some of them and talk about their work. Even if one can`t attend the opening, the gallery is open 10am – 6 pm Mon to Sat and is situated above the “Four Seasons Garden Centre”, Main St, Ballinamore.
For any further information on this or other exhibitions or how to exhibit at the Gallery, you can check the website www.solasart.ie , email info@solasart.ie or phone Gail or Ben 071- 9644210.
Open Summer Exhibition @ Solas Gallery
Open Summer Group Exhibition – 16 July to 11 August 2010
The Group Summer Exhibition is open to both members and non-members and opens on July 16th.. We hope that you will submit some work for inclusion in this exhibition.
This Exhibition will run during one of the busiest times at the gallery, giving
exhibitors a high level of exposure and possibility of sales.
The exhibition is selected and there is no theme.
Please also note that the drop-off date has been extended to July 3rd. Since it can be quite busy in the Gallery on drop off day we would ask that all paperwork (Entry Form and Artwork Stickers) be complete when you arrive. All members will have received the form and Artwork stickers through the post. Non members can download an entry form and fill in the Artwork Stickers on the day. The check boxes on the following page show the things that should be completed for drop-off. Sorry about all the paperwork but with large numbers of pictures being submitted we need to have a formal system in place to make sure that there are no mix-ups!
This group exhibition will close on a Wednesday Aug. 11th with the following exhibition opening two days later on the Friday so we will need a really quick turn- around to take down the old and hang the new exhibition. With this in mind we would ask all artists to collect their pictures either on Wednesday 11th or on Thursday 12th .
Pick up at other times is possible by prior arrangement with the gallery. Lack of storage space at the gallery means we have to charge a €1 per painting per day storage charge for uncollected work.
Finally, a reminder that Sculpture, Photography and Glass have all been exhibited at the gallery. These art forms are all very welcome. We have a collection of various sized plinths available for display.
Our newly elected Artists’ Representatives will be phoning around the membership in the near future to get your feedback. If you have any questions they will be able to help you or you can contact the gallery at any time.
We look forward to seeing your work for this exhibition and hope you can make it along to the opening.
Best Regards
Gail Quinn
Secretary
Ballinamore Community arts Group
CHECKLIST FOR EXHIBITION SUMMER 2010
ACTION INFORMATION DATEArt Drop Off Sat. July 3rd, 12 – 5 pm Number of Pieces Up to 3 per MemberPieces should not have been hung in gallery previously. No charge for members. €5 per piece for non- members Size Up to 60cm x 60cm or a combination of these dimensions (Eg. 50cm x 70cm).One larger piece may be considered Membership Must be paid up to date. Can be done on the day if necessary or else non-member charge applies ( see above) Paperwork(Enclosed) Entry Form Completed (see download below)Stickers filled in on back of artwork Presentation
- All Artwork ready to hang with pair of hooks on the back
- Clean Frames and Glass
- Framing and mounts to gallery standard
Selection This is a selected exhibition. You will be notified of all selected works before the exhibition opens. Pick Up of Unselected Work Sat. 10 July Opening Fri. 16 July at 7.30pm Pick Up of Unsold Work Wed. 11/ Thur. 12 Aug.
