Renowned artist to exhibit work for the first time in a beloved part of Mayo

Renowned artist Hughie O’Donoghue will exhibit his work for the first time in his beloved Erris, displaying pieces that have never been seen before in Ireland.

Known for the epic scale of his paintings, O’Donoghue was born in Manchester to Irish parents and spent many of his summer holidays in Bangor Erris with his mother’s family.

The artist has been exhibiting internationally, in solo and group exhibitions, for more than 40 years, and has gained a reputation as one of the leading painters of his generation.

O’Donoghue’s collection of works will be displayed in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet, throughout July and August. The collection – entitled Erris Retrospect – has been inspired by the landscape of Erris, a place that has been present in his work for many years.

O’Donoghue said: “The theme of identity runs through all of the works in this exhibition, a preoccupation I perceived in my mother and her yearly need to return ‘home’ from her new life in Manchester. I grew up in south Manchester but it was impressed upon me that this was not my real or authentic place of origin, that there was a previous, more fundamental well spring, one that I was brought back to year after year. My memories of being here with my many cousins, brothers and sister are of excitement and fun. This was no doubt due to the abundance of fellow playmates but also I think for me of making a more visceral connection to the natural world.

“As a child I was unaware of the close proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, as my activities were confined to the boundaries of the small glen. In later years, however, I have discovered the beauty and defining nature of the Atlantic coastline and this has played an important and ongoing stimulus to my work and its imagery.

“My paintings are never 'views', picturesque or otherwise, and instead are intended to evoke a real connection to place and consequently memory and therefore identity.”

O’Donoghue’s incredible work has been exhibited in arts centres, museums and universities in cities all over the world, including London, Paris, Munich, Prague, The Hague, Boston, Ljubljana, Adelaide, Berkeley, Glasgow, Beijing, Shanghai, Honolulu, Belfast, Dublin and Manchester.

The staff of Áras Inis Gluaire are thrilled to welcome Hughie to exhibit in Belmullet. Manager Ian Mac Aindriú commented: “We are very proud to exhibit the work of local artists here, but we are particularly delighted to have such a prestigious artist as Hughie. His connections to the area make this exhibition even more special. These pieces have never been seen before in Ireland and we are honoured to be able to show it here in Áras Inis Gluaire, in the heart of Hughie’s ancestral home.

“Is minic Hughie Ó Donaghue ag déanamh tagairt don áit as a dtáinig a mhuintir agus don tionchar atá ag Iorras ar a chuid oibre. Ní caint gan substaint a bhíonn ar siúl aige. D’éinne a fheiceann a shaothar ní féidir a shéanadh go bhfuil tírdhreach Iorrais fite fuaite istigh ann – níl dabht ar bith óna chuid ealaíne gur de bhunadh na hÉireann é, gur de bhunadh Mhaigh Eo é agus go háirithe gur de bhunadh Iorrais é.”

Commenting on the Erris Arts Centre (Áras Inis Gluaire), O’Donoghue said: “Áras Inis Gluaire is a powerful asset for the community of Erris and a vital space for exhibiting the work of artists both local and international. I am delighted to be exhibiting here this summer.”

Artistic director Deirbhle Healy added: “Ceann de shainmharcanna a phéintéireacht ná an ollmhéid atá ag baint le cuid de na píosaí ach ní hé an méid an rud is suntasaí ar ndóigh – is mórshaothar iad a phíosaí ealaíne in a lán slite – tá siad mór-chroíúil, ta siad móraigeanta agus tá siad mór-le-rá agus táimid thar a bheith sásta go bhfuil siad in ár measc ar feadh tamaillín.

“We are truly delighted to have an artist of Hughie’s calibre exhibit his work here. For a short while this summer, we will be the custodians of this treasured collection of artwork. We cannot wait for locals and visitors to come and see his incredible work here.”

The launch of Hughie O’Donoghue: Erris Retrospect will take place on Friday, June 30. All are welcome to attend. For more details, log on to www.arasinisgluaire.ie or see the Facebook or Instagram pages of Áras Inis Gluaire.