Exhibition of Paintings by John McAtamney
18th - 27th February
John
McAtamney continues to be one of the gallery's most dynamic young
artists. This exhibition is the culmination of the last 18
month's output by this highly popular, surrealist.
Like all good artists, John is constantly developing and maturing in his work. His paintings are a reflection of his inner and outer world. In the Book Eater and Snack Reading, John paints his perception of his wife as an avid reader. The Crest of a Wave is John's take on his observations of one of his favourite places to in the world, the beach at Ballycastle.
The surreal element of his output often hides the obvious from the viewer but upon closer inspection we find deep perception, humour and clever camouflage. In the Progression of Warfare we see a 'horseman' type figure on the left of the canvas, reflecting traditional soldier and horsemen style warfare, whereas on the right side of the painting, we see a book (the rules of the game have changed), a hand held aloft with a button between thumb and index finger, which remind us how cold and instant the nuclear age has become. A subtle humourous reference to John's personal 'shock and awe' experience is observed in Sunbathing and Aubergines, a memory as a young man of about 18 years of age, seeing 'real' women on European beaches looking vastly different to the magazine versions he'd been fed! In a Gathering Around the Odd Appearance of a Nude, we are let in to an open secret by observing the mountains on the horizon. Likewise, looking carefully at Hidden Dog we are shown what is 'hidden' by looking at what is not there, by what is between the shapes.
Much of John's work is beyond meaning and need for interpretation. The cover image of Construction of Freedom reflects John's most frequently expressed term, the reason he paints at all, his innate need to make his mark on canvas, what he fondly refers to as 'freedom from thought'. In these works, John lets us observe the calm nature of life as an artist, he shows us a rare glimpse of peace in a busy world. Paintings like Black Knight define his more recent and further developed style.
Finally John's work, like all great art, reflects the world in which we all live. In Out-casted and A Solid Mark, John let's us in on his personal recession, his feelings of being shaken as his budding career, in its nascent stage, is suddenly affected by the reality of a harsher, colder world where love and appreciation of his work is tied to a struggling economy.
Collector's of McAtamney's paintings will find that these works are priced favourably to continue to support this vastly popular artist and to allow more keen collector's to get on board as this talent continues to truly shine.
Eimear Flanagan
Emer Gallery 2010 ©
Like all good artists, John is constantly developing and maturing in his work. His paintings are a reflection of his inner and outer world. In the Book Eater and Snack Reading, John paints his perception of his wife as an avid reader. The Crest of a Wave is John's take on his observations of one of his favourite places to in the world, the beach at Ballycastle.
The surreal element of his output often hides the obvious from the viewer but upon closer inspection we find deep perception, humour and clever camouflage. In the Progression of Warfare we see a 'horseman' type figure on the left of the canvas, reflecting traditional soldier and horsemen style warfare, whereas on the right side of the painting, we see a book (the rules of the game have changed), a hand held aloft with a button between thumb and index finger, which remind us how cold and instant the nuclear age has become. A subtle humourous reference to John's personal 'shock and awe' experience is observed in Sunbathing and Aubergines, a memory as a young man of about 18 years of age, seeing 'real' women on European beaches looking vastly different to the magazine versions he'd been fed! In a Gathering Around the Odd Appearance of a Nude, we are let in to an open secret by observing the mountains on the horizon. Likewise, looking carefully at Hidden Dog we are shown what is 'hidden' by looking at what is not there, by what is between the shapes.
Much of John's work is beyond meaning and need for interpretation. The cover image of Construction of Freedom reflects John's most frequently expressed term, the reason he paints at all, his innate need to make his mark on canvas, what he fondly refers to as 'freedom from thought'. In these works, John lets us observe the calm nature of life as an artist, he shows us a rare glimpse of peace in a busy world. Paintings like Black Knight define his more recent and further developed style.
Finally John's work, like all great art, reflects the world in which we all live. In Out-casted and A Solid Mark, John let's us in on his personal recession, his feelings of being shaken as his budding career, in its nascent stage, is suddenly affected by the reality of a harsher, colder world where love and appreciation of his work is tied to a struggling economy.
Collector's of McAtamney's paintings will find that these works are priced favourably to continue to support this vastly popular artist and to allow more keen collector's to get on board as this talent continues to truly shine.
Eimear Flanagan
Emer Gallery 2010 ©