"Pigsy" screening at the Galway Film Festival
PIGSY screens in Galway Film Festival
Mike Andrews' short film "Pigsy" will be screened as part of the Galway Film Festival on Sunday the 15th of July at midday. As part of an 8 Irish shorts screening, tickets are available on the festival website.
PIGSY short film on Youtube now
Edit - you can now watch the PIGSY film on Youtube or below
Chris Burden
Travels in Paris
Back in 2006 I surprised my wife with a trip to Paris the day after she finished her finals. It was an amazing trip - we stayed in a small hotel that had been recommended on the George Hook radio show. It was in a great location near the Jardin du Luxembourg (where, rumour has it, Hemingway shot pigeons for his dinner when he lived in Paris).
We had a super time in Paris, whiling the time away in small bistros and drinking wine and eating lots of cheese in-between visiting museums and art galleries (my favourite was the Picasso Museum but I also enjoyed the Musee d'Orsay).
Pompidou Centre, Paris
We also made a visit to the Georges Pompidou Centre to appreciate both the architecture and the art. We saw both Kandinsky and Pollock in the Pomidou Centre along with work by an artist that stuck with both my wife and I for years to come, even though we couldn't remember the artists name.
Over the years after our Paris trip we would discuss the art we had seen and in particular the films of that artist who "put wooden ladders in a room that had a plastic coated floor which was then flooded with water while an electric current was sent through the water - all while people stood on the ladders". We each had different thoughts on this work but we agreed that we thought it was something to do with the fragility of life and how we are all in our general lives at all times very close to death by the situations that we put ourselves in. I don't know if this was actually the artists intention to convey this message but that indicates the subjectivity of art - this is what my wife and I got from it.
The other piece we saw was what we now know is called "Shoot". This involved the artist being filmed while he was shot on the arm by someone. Whoa!! You can not believe how this piece stuck with us. Many a time I mentioned this art work to friends in discussions about modern art and what is art. It certainly got the conversation going!
Chris Burden on Netflix
Anyway flash forward over 10 years and I am browsing Netflix. and up pops a recommendation for me. It is "Burden" about artist Chris Burden. I click in and not long after I realize it is about the artist above that I had seen all those years ago in Paris. I had never known his name!
Click here for the trailer for "Burden"
It was interesting to watch all about "Shoot" with a fresh perspective but it was also brilliant to see all of his work beyond the two pieces we had seen. In particular, the much replicated "Trans-fixed" where he was suggestively crucified on a Volkswagon Beetle which was extremely thought provoking for me.
Noble art
Watching this documentary brought me to a new level of appreciation and understanding of this artist. I began to understand that what he was working on is performance art and that it was very much based on ideas and activities rather than creating art work for the commercial art market. It is about making art for art's self. What a noble ideal.
Christmas is coming....
Christmas Gifts for Art Lovers
Christmas is coming and we are all beginning to think of gifts for our loved ones. Most of us have that one hard to buy for person in our life. They are generally someone who has everything and they cause lots of stress as we fret over what to get them.
Worry no more, as I have the perfect suggestions of what to buy for the hard to buy for.
ART!
Who doesn't love art? And even if someone has lots of art they always want more!
So if you make the decision to buy art this Christmas do check out my online store.
Or get in contact with me and we can arrange a convenient time for you to call to my house and have a look at a particular piece that you have an interest in. I will serve mince pies and mulled wine (well it is Christmas!) while you peruse my work.
Prints!
Send me an email if you want to have a look at my artwork and remember I also sell limited edition prints!
Basquiat at the Barbican
Jean Michel Basquiat in the Barbican London
A while ago, I heard that there was going to be a major Jean Michel Basquiat in The Barbican Centre and immediately started making plans to get to London to see it.
Dublin to London with Aer Lingus
We booked tickets online for the exhibition and then booked flights with Aer Lingus. It suited us best to fly from Dublin on an early morning flight and then return home later that day.
When we landed we went straight to the train station to take the Heathrow Express in to Paddington Station. From Paddington we walked to Baker Street stopping for breakfast on the way. After eating, we were back on our way and took the tube to The Barbican Centre.
Banksy in London
I had been telling my wife about two Banksy artworks that had appeared before the exhibition opened (see more here) and we decided to go for a look before we went in to "Boom for Real".
The Banksy's make quite a statement as you happen upon them on your way to The Barbican and it was pretty cool to get up close to his work.
As you can see the work has been covered in perspex in order to protect the painting. Probably a good idea given what has happened some of Banksy's other works.
We took the obligatory selfie and excitedly went on our way to the main show.
When we arrived to the exhibition entrance there some security measures in place. They weren't terribly onerous - no bags (even small handbags) were allowed in to the show and of course photography wasn't allowed.
So in we went and thoroughly immersed ourselves in Basquiat for the next 2 hours.
Basquiat: Boom for Real
It's hard to express how much I enjoyed this show. It was honestly one of the best exhibitions I have been to. The amount of Basquiat's work that had been gathered together in one space was phenomenal and the way it was displayed drew you in to his genius in a way that I did not expect. In some ways it was very overwhelming and nearly beyond my comprehension.
All in all it was "Boom for Real"
London Architecture
Afterwards we walked a lot of London - we headed to the Gherkin, which I was very much impressed by, and then on to the Walkie Talkie Building (20 Fenchurch Street) and then found a Christmas market down near London Bridge.
Tate Modern
After a nice lunch with a great view of London Bridge, see above, we decided to make a quick dash to the Tate Modern taking in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the way.
Our visit to the Tate really was a quick one but we got to see lots of amazing art including lots of Rothko's (a whole room full!), Kandinsky, Pollock and Picasso. Incredible!
After a full and busy day of art it was time to make our way back to Heathrow airport where we had time for a drink at a bar before our 8pm flight home.
All in all a top day!
"Nostalgia's Not What it Was" Fumbally Exchange
PIGSY Solo Exhibition
“Nostalgia’s Not What it Was” , Fumbally Exchange, Dublin
Here's a few photos from my recent exhibition "Nostalgia's Not What it Was" in Fumbally Exchange in early October 2017. This was the second PIGSY solo show after the sell out success of my first one the year previously in The Kemp Gallery on South Frederick Street.
“Nostalgia’s Not What it Was” was held over 4 days and nights in Fumbally Exchange on Dame Lane, Dublin. Each night of the exhibition was themed slightly differently and catered for different audiences.
PIGSY Opening Night: Thursday 5th October 2017
Opening night was a busy affair. There was a large attendance and there was a brilliant buzz about my art with most of it selling out on the first night. Most guests had been at my previous solo show and were on the guest list. Manning the front door were twins Enid and Amy in their matching PIGSY branded t-shirts and they gave everyone a friendly greeting as they arrived. Extra to the guest list attendees there was also lots of drop in’s as Dame Lane is a busy street and people passing by could see the art and so they wanted to get in on the PIGSY action and have a look at the art too. For this event, I served prosecco along with a red and white wine offering (thanks to Pembroke wines). Irish craft beer makers Hope Beer also were in attendance and they brought along their tasty beers which went down a treat with my guests.
Street Night: Friday 6th October 2017
This was an edgier event than opening night. I had advertised it on Facebook and the guests that signed up to attend were more alternative to those who visited on the first night. I had a DJ playing a full set for the evening and again Hope Beer served beers to the crowd. Word spread fast and there was large amount of attendees. The vibe was very positive and the response to my art was phenomenal with loads of people sharing images on to social media which I always love!
Chilled out Art: Saturday 7th October 2017
The Saturday night event was far more mellow than the other nights. It was a case of playing a specially created playlist and serving wine to a select group of invited guests or guests who had already visited on the other nights but wanted to return to see the art in a quieter setting where they could get to talk to me about the artwork.
Family Day: Sunday 8th October 2017
Sunday being the last day of the event meant that it was beginning to wind down and the exhibition was on display from 12pm to 5pm. I had been promoting the last day on social media so I was being contacted from early on by people saying they had not got in over the weekend so they would call in on Sunday. Also my family had been invited in on this day and so some of them visited at different points over the day. I had laid on flasks of coffee and brunch style snacks for all who visited on Sunday and it was a really nice sociable day. At 5pm there was still people coming to the door of the gallery and viewing the art so in the end I closed the doors at 6pm and not at the earlier time as previously planned!
My forthcoming solo exhibition in Dublin!
"Nostalgia's Not What It Was"
Following on from his well received debut show, artist Pigsy now presents a new body of work "Nostalgia's Not What It Was", opening on Thursday 5th October at 6pm in Fumbally Exchange, Dame Lane, Dublin 2.
Ciarán McCoy is Pigsy. As Ciarán McCoy, he works as a partner in the renowned architectural practice ODKM Architect in Dublin City centre. As Pigsy, he releases himself from the disciplined nature of architecture to create free flowing expressionist art.
Pigsy started to create from a young age by using chalks on both the playground and the blackboards at school to pass the time between classes. He has added a multitude of painting media to his palette since then but still incorporates chalk use in most of his pieces as a nod to these formative methods.
Evolution of Childhood
This body of work is all about moving forward as a person and deals with he evolution of childhood friendships, old haunts and activities from childhood and the difficulties experienced throughout schooling because of his dyslexia.
“Nostalgia's Not What It Was", is an idea that I’ve been working on for a while" says Pigsy "I believe it's best to live in the moment and not give over too much space in our mind to useless non-positive thoughts that prevent us from seeing our true potential and this has been the inspiration behind the exhibition"
Curated by KEMP
The exhibition is curated by KEMP, the man behind the urban and street art themed the KEMP Gallery and an artist in his own right.
"I'm both excited and honoured to be working with Pigsy again" says KEMP. "I love the honesty in his painting. It's very accessible even though there's a depth and complexity to it, which is very rare. I'm looking forward to sharing these new pieces with the public"
Hope Beer
Drinks will be provided at this exhibition by Hope Beer, an independent craft brewery based in Howth Co. Dublin, who are fantastic supporters of art and artists.
The exhibition runs from the 5th to the 8th October 2017
Pigsy's Secret is out as new show opens!
The Irish Times reports on PIGSY’s second Solo Art Exhibtion
Great write up in The Irish Times today about my forthcoming art show which is opening in Fumbally Exchange on 5th of Oct at 6pm
“He may design glorious light-filled extensions, classy conversions and one-off dream pads by day, but he’s also got dual identity, as street artist, Pigsy.
Of course these days, the term “street art” defines a style, rather than implying he’s out there after dark daubing on walls so consider McCoy’s work in the vein of the type of street art shown in Dublin’s KEMP Gallery”
PIGSY Solo Exhibition: Hard copy invites hot off the presses!
PIGSY Art Exhibition Invites
As well as a soft copy invite for my forthcoming exhibition, I made the decision to print a batch of invites also. Old school, I know, but I do think people like to pick up and read info in hard copy format still.
Dublin Art Show - the second solo exhibition of PIGSY
"Nostalgia's not what it was" opens on 5th of October 2017 in The Fumbally Exchange in Dame Lane, Dublin 2 at 6-9pm.
Running for 4 days and curated by Kemp of The Kemp Gallery, my exhibition gives you the opportunity to view my work in different settings including a fun "Street Night" on Friday 6-9pm with a DJ and premium craft beers which are provided by Dublin based brewery Hope Beer.
Additionally the show will be open 10am - 9pm Thursday to Saturday and also Sunday 11am- 4pm, 5th to 8th of October 2017.
When: Thursday, 5th of October 6-9pm
Where: Fumbally Exchange, 5 Dame Lane, Dublin City
Email: pigsy.art@gmail.com
"Nostalgia's Not What It Was" Opening Night @ Fumbally Exchange 5th Oct 2017
PIGSY Solo Exhibition in Fumbally Exchange, Dublin City
“Nostalgia’s Not What it Was” by PIGSY
My solo exhibition "Nostalgia's not what it was" opens on 5th of October 2017 in The Fumbally Exchange in Dame Lane, Dublin 2 at 6-9pm.
Running for 4 days and curated by Kemp of The Kemp Gallery, my exhibition gives you the opportunity to view my work in different settings including a fun "Street Night" on Friday 6-9pm with a DJ and premium craft beers which are provided by Dublin based brewery Hope Beer.
Additionally the show will be open 10am - 9pm Thursday to Saturday and also Sunday 11am- 4pm, 5th to 8th of October 2017.
Email pigsy.art@gmail.com for further info or to get on the list for the opening party or street night.
When: Thursday, 5th of October 6-9pm
Where: Fumbally Exchange, 5 Dame Lane, Dublin City
Email: pigsy.art@gmail.com
See you there!
Upcoming exhibition in Gallery X
Group Show in Gallery X
The Cock & Pussy Manifesto
Currently I am working on my solo exhibition which opens in early October. My exhibition will consist of about 10 or 11 very large pieces.
If you can't wait til October to see my work you get the opportunity to see a small piece I painted that is part of a group exhibition that is opening in Gallery X on the 31st of August. See details of the exhibition here. Curated by Gallery owner Giovanni Guisti who explains that the art show “is meant as an attack on the shame that society makes us feel about what he believes are our most important bits” it features artworks by numerous artists of the male and female form.
PIGSY working on an artwork - creating a custom frame
The above pic is of me at work on the piece that I will be exhibiting. I am fabricating a custom frame for the artwork. The piece is a a take on Polaroid photos of a nude Jean-Michel Basquiat with me as the subject matter, go figure!
Gallery X is on 65 South William Street and the exhibition titled “The Cock & Pussy Manifesto” runs from 31st of Aug to the 22nd of September.
Here’s a picture of the exhibition - you can see the PIGSY painting on the wall behind Gallery Owner Giovanni Guisti. This PIGSY is the male nude to the right of the photo.
Lanes of Dublin - filming PIGSY short film
Feeling inspired - painting in the back lanes of Dublin
I have a fascination for lanes. I misspent my youth down lanes, kicking footballs and playing with my friends along with drawing in chalk on lane walls.
Now as an adult and an architect I am interested in what gets built down lanes. Mews houses are a big part of the Dublin architectural landscape and I am fortunate to be currently working on a project which is exploring the feasibility of a mews house on a particular lane way site.
This Friday I went back to my childhood, with film maker Mike Andrews, and set up a chalkboard in a Rathmines lane and got working. Mike is a documentary maker so at this point all I will say is "Watch this space".........
Lane way painting
I was in the mood to paint and being outside in a lane was inspiring. I painted and Mike filmed. He was pleased with his results and I was very happy too!
EDIT 2018 - To view the PIGSY film, click here
Miro in Mallorca
Miro Museum in Mallorca
Recently I visited Mallorca staying on Calle Mayor in an AirBnB.
We stayed in a stand alone unit that I rented through AirBnB. A few doors down from our rental was the Fundacion Pilar i Joan Miro which encompasses Miro's two studios and an art museum.
Miro Studio, Mallorca
The whole Miro Museum complex was so amazing that we visited 3 times during our week's holiday. It has an extensive collectin of Miro art and you can also visit the studio Miro painted in which is on the site as this was the original location of his studio.
Here's a pic to whet your appetite! If you would like to see more pics, click here to read Enid's blog.
Where I buy my supplies....
Art Supplies in Dublin
In the past I have stretched my own canvas on to wooden frames. However, although cheaper than a ready stretched canvas, it is not one bit convenient. So currently I buy ready stretched canvas.
For canvas, I go to Evans on Capel Street.
My last expedition to Evans was on Saturday and I hired a GoCar van as the canvas I proposed buying would not fit in my Smart Car!!
Along with canvas, I buy oil sticks and brushes in Evans.
For other art supplies I visit Tiger and also sometimes hardware stores for domestic paint.
And finally I get my spray paint in All City Records where I have a browse at the vinyl when I visit which always makes for a fun trip that Enid likes to do with me.
Here's me on my most recent canvas buying expedition in the GoCar van.
Car Sharing - the perfect way to move art
Car Clubs - Car Sharing, what flexibility!
I signed up for GoCar the other day.
It's a car sharing website that gives you access to cars and vans at an hourly rate. There are many car bases local to me but it is the GoVans that I am most interested in. I regularly need access to a van for a short while to either buy canvas in Evans or to deliver paintings to new owners. GoCar seems like a perfect fit for my needs.
Currently it's only €10 to sign up for membership so it's a good time to sign up and give it a try out. Membership of Go Car gives you access to a variety of vehicles (including vans) along with insurance, fuel and also free parking in Dublin City Centre. It’s a good deal!
Rough Style by Sibylle Kramer
“LPA” (Leeson Park Avenue) by Ciaran McCoy
"Rough Style" by Sibylle Kramer is a weighty tome featuring over 100 projects from all over the world. One of the featured projects is "LPA" designed by me and my former architectural practise ODKM Architects.
LPA was a labour of love as it is a house that has been in my family for 3 generations and I am glad to have brought it back from the brink of dereliction and I now get to enjoy the fruits of my labour and live in this great Dublin house.
Blast from the Past "Dad's Dublin"
“Dad’s Dublin” by Pigsy
Here's a painting of mine that I did a few years ago. It's called "Dad's Dublin" and the story behind it is that my Dad gave me the canvas. He had used it to start a painting of Dublin. I painted over his Dublin with my Dublin (you can see Liberty Hall to the right) and then gave it back to him as a gift.
The artwork is now hanging in my parent’s home - “Dad’s Dublin” in my Dad’s house.
3 Generational Exhibition
3 Generational Art Exhibition - Cabra Library
A few months ago my father asked me for a few pieces for an exhibition he was holding. He had made arrangements to exhibit in his local public library in Cabra and wanted to include my work, his work and also his grandchild's (my niece) work.
It was literally a 3 generational exhibition with work by a father, son and granddaughter.
I wrote up a small biography to my father's specifications and during the exhibition this was circulated with further information about the three of us.
The exhibition went well. There was no official launch but there were lots of great comments in the visitors book.
If you are interested in my niece's work you can click here to view her youtube channel.
The Kemp Gallery @ Gallery X
Kemp & Gallery X
The KEMP Gallery has announced it's return and relocation to 65 South William Street, Dublin 2, in a space that will be shared with their new host - GalleryX.
GalleryX is a new player in Dublin's gallery scene, specialising in figurative and surrealist art, "so the potential synergy attained by working out of the same premises was impossible to refuse" explained curator Kemp.
The KEMP Gallery @ GalleryX intends to continue showcasing urban/street art to the Irish public and looks forward to the continued love and support of their sponsors, art fans, family and friends.
MAY Exhibition - The KEMP Gallery @ GalleryX will be kicking off the new arrangement on May 11th with a new exhibition by the much heralded Shane Sutton (www.shanesutton.com).
2017 Schedule - A further 3 exhibitions are planned for the calendar year, including brand new work from curator KEMP in late September.
This is very much a WATCH THIS SPACE situation and I for one am very excited to what comes of this new collaboration.
Good Luck to The Kemp Gallery @ Gallery X!
Pasta, more pasta and tiramisu - Eating out in Venice
Venice eats!
On our first day after our 4 hour walking tour of Venice, we were completely drained and ate in the very first that we came to when we left our hotel after changing for dinner. The restaurant was the Bonvecchiati in the Hotel Bonevecchiati and it did the job very nicely.
Ai Mercanti Restaurant, Venice, Italy
Art on a plate - the art of Pasta!
On our second night we got a recommendation from our hotel and they made a reservation for us in the Ai Mercanti. After a little struggle to find the place (it was down a little hidden street) we had a an enjoyable meal with quite possibly the best plate of pasta that I have ever eaten. Pasta, oil, garlic, chilli & parmesan - so simple but so so good!
Budget eats in Venice
We had heard that it was expensive to eat out in Venice but did not find it to be so. There was lots of little sandwich bars where you could people watch and get an espresso for about a euro. There was also an option of ordering a pizza for less than 10 euro when eating out. I guess the best thing to do is check the cover charge before sitting down - one place down at the water was charging 6 euro cover and stay away from San Marco Square when eating!
Peggy Guggenheim Art Collection Venice Italy
A visit to Peggy Guggenheim’s Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, Venice
Day one of our Venice trip was for Architecture while day two was for art.
We had an early breakfast and made our way to Palazzo Venier dei Leoni where Peggy Guggenheim lived and is now a museum.
There was a large queue when we arrived at 9.30am, even though the museum doesn't open until 10am. When it did open, it took a long time to process tickets and we got in at about 10.20am. The entrance fee is €15 and we paid an additional €7 for an audio tour.
Peggy Guggenheim: Art Collector, Supporter and Patron of Living Artists
Peggy Guggenheim is one of the most famous supporters and art collectors of modern art. She brought so many young artists to the attention of the world and without her support who knows what the art world would look like today. Samuel Beckett had told Peggy that one must support artists and it is best to buy paintings from living artists. Guggenheim certainly took this on board with one of her most famous painters that she collected being Jackson Pollock.
Guggenheim’s private collection is stunning and includes works by all of the modern 20th century art masters like Picasso, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Ernst, Chagar, Kli, Miró, Pollock, Brown Cousy, Dali, Magritte and Bacon
My blog musings won't do the collection any justice (it really is something you must go and see yourself) so to that end I give you this Jackson Pollock picture that I photographed in the Peggy Guggenheim museum.
Not only is this an incredible permant exhibition of art, the setting is fairly sensational too. It’s my number one must-visit attraction while you are visiting Venice.
Tips for visiting Peggy Guggenheim’s Palazzo Venier dei Leoni in Venice
Arrive early before the ticket line builds up (if you haven’t bought tickets online)
Probably best to buy tickets online from the official Peggy Guggenheim website when making a plan to visit
Buy the audio guide
Note the closing times, and make sure you give yourself at the very least 90 mins to 2 hours + to see everything before the museum closes
Plan your visit: check out the website to see what temporary exhibitions are on view and make sure you go see these aswell as the permanent exhibitions
Some of the rooms can be very busy so leave the backpack in the hotel
Nasher Sculpture Gardens are the area around the museum - make sure you have time to visit them too.
Prepare to be wowed!
Peggy Guggenheim Museum Location & contact details:
Palazzo Venier dei Leoni
Dorsoduro 701
I-30123 Venice
tel: +39 041 2405 411
e-mail: info@guggenheim-venice.it
Architectural Tour of Venice
To see more of my Venice travels, click my previous blog to read about the Venice Architectural tour that I did where I visited the works of Architect Carlo Scarpa