John Behan and Ger Sweeney Exhibition
On Saturday 30 March we opened Recent Works an exhibition of sculpture by John Behan with paintings by Ger Sweeney.
‘The exhibition shines even in it’s darkness… long may such impact continue’ remarked guest speaker, Arts & Music Broadcaster, David Nice.
Martina Hamilton opened the exhibition introducing it as a ‘Wonderful exhibition to celebrate these two great artists’. Our guest speaker, Arts broadcaster David Nice, who we invited to open the exhibition had to cancel at short notice due to a family illness, but having seen the works via video link, was able to send a few words which were read out by Malcolm Hamilton.
In short, David observed that the time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday seemed an appropriate time to reflect … above all on mortality, and gave a poignant thought to the millions suffering in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. John Behan’s sculptures are especially appropriate as they are a powerful sometimes visceral reminder of the suffering of the displaced, both now and in the past, renderings which David believes are the responsibility of the arts to reflect. He observed the juxtaposition of Ger Sweeney’s intense paintings with the darkness and light inherent in John Behan’s sculptures, and thought it worked ‘cannily well’.
We hope David will be able to visit the exhibition in person before it closes at the end of the month.
John Behan & Ger Sweeney
Martina Hamilton welcoming speech.
Guests at the opening.
Still Point, by Ger Sweeney and Bronze figures by John Behan
Ger Sweeney
‘A renewed interest in the expressive properties of drawing, gestural line and automatic writing currently informs an ongoing dialogue with abstraction in my painting practice. The elemental nature of the west of Ireland landscape where I live is now becoming a significant source of inspiration in my work. To engage with the elemental, the tactile, the mood or metaphor, through process, gesture, colour and line is the intent.’ Ger Sweeney, 2024
Land Fold 1, by Ger Sweeney
John Behan
Bull for Ukraine, Bronze
Aran Famine Ship, Bronze
Winter in Ukraine, Bronze
John Behan’s recent work powerfully focuses on current migration crises. Having worked with migrant groups in Greece there are immediate parallels between Behan’s Irish Famine Ship themes and the narrative plight of people displaced and uprooted in contemporary times. These pieces are exhibited alongside new works from equally iconic Behan themes such as Oar Boats and Bull figures.