Happy Bloomsday!

“Mo Laoch” (My Hero)

“Mo Laoch” Featuring James Joyce

It is a rarity that a character in a Pigsy piece is not a version of the artist himself but in this piece the figure is that of famous Irish writer James Joyce. The inspiration for this painting came after watching a documentary on Joyce and the realised connection between him and the artist's uncle, also James, whom he never met but who's house he now owns. Was Joyce talking about people like James in his celebrated novel Dubliners? Could James the Uncle have been a role model and mentor for Pigsy for he was also a poet and artist. The title "Mo Laoch" is Gaelic for "My Hero", a reference to the actual feeling for Joyce and the potentially stronger feeling for his uncle that, alas, never existed. Note that Joyce holds the red spelling book, Pigsy's nemesis, an item depicted in many of his works to signify his struggle with dyslexia.

By Kemp

See Designyard for available PIGSY prints

“Mo Laoch” prints are available from Designyward in Dublin, contact Ronan Campbell for details.

The large scale “Mo Laoch” PIGSY artwork, featuring James Joyce, is also available through Designyard

James Joyce “Art Wear”

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Happy Pride month!

Happy Pride month! 
I am delighted to present "Duval Flag".

“Duval Flag”  (410mm W x 920mm H) (16” Wide x  36”) Mixed Media On Canvas

Key West Business Guild are selling raffle tickets for a chance to win my painting "Duval Flag" which was inspired by a recent trip to KW. It includes the famous sea to sea rainbow flag flying high and is painted in my usual expressionist style. it is an uplifting joyful piece that highlights the Key West motto of One Human Family. It will be on view during the week in the Key West Business Guild.

Tickets are available, plus the painting is on display:
*In the Key West Business Guild, 808 Duval Street right now!
*At the Business Guild luncheon on Wednesday at the Marriott Beachside
*At the street fair on Saturday

Creating Art in Key West

“One Human Family”

While PIGSY was vacationing in Key West the overall vibe of the islands ethos of “One Human Family” compelled him to compulsively plan a painting. The result, the result when he returned to Ireland was an inspired flow of expressionism which helped him to subconsciously recall the sea to sea rainbow flag which was 1.25 miles long and ran along Duval Street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean created by the designer Gilbert Baker (happy image on the bike exploring his creation) who passed away in 2017. The island created a sense of creative happiness which manifested itself in the positive message that,  all people are created equal.

Acceptance of diversity

The painting reflects the joyous pride that one can feel when prejudice and judgement of other people’s decisions are discarded and a free positive happy all for one, one for all approach to everyday life is embraced in a fair inclusive way, as it is with Key West which has embraced the motto “One Human Family”. The butterflies , flowers and smile on Gilbert’s Face show happiness and freedom along with pride and gives us a sense that the world is a brighter place with rainbows in it, along with an acceptance of diversity.

By Kemp

News update - Nov 2021

PIGSY art is now proudly available in Effusion Gallery on Duval Street, Key West

Pigsy documentary: online release

PIGSY Film: Online Release

Directed by Mike Andrews

Filmmaker Mike Andrews created this 8 minute short “Pigsy“ which premiered in the Galway Film Fleadh 2018 and then featured in film festivals in Ireland and the UK throughout 2018.

The documentary was released online on Saturday 25th of May 2019 and tells the story of Irish artist PIGSY and his life with dyslexia

Please watch, enjoy and share with anyone else that would be interested in it!

Studio upgrade

A new handrail for the art studio staircase

Cantilevered Glass Stairs

A little while ago, I set about designing a handrail for the cantilevered glass stairs up to my studio in my house on Leeson Park Avenue in Ranelagh. After finalising my design I sourced a master craftsman to construct the metal handrail. The man for the job was Brendan O’Donnell of Brendan Donnell Design at The Maker Shed along with Billy Moore Metalworks.

Metal Handrail

The fabricators did a top notch job - the metal handrail fits like a glove.

The new handrail certainly changes the look of the stair case - no more floating glass anymore - but it is safe and it makes my studio in to a far more usable space. It’s a big improvement overall!

Click on to my instagram to see more pics of the handrail.

Here’s the before…

And the after!

Pigsy in the Designyard, Dublin City

Designyard Gallery Dublin - showcasing the best of Irish Design & Craft

Among all of the incredible jewels and art pieces on sale in the Designyard in Dublin you’ll find a Pigsy on show. It’s “The Extra-Ordinary Crucified for You” and it is a massive piece - the photos of it online don’t do it justice.

Make time to visit the Designyard on South Frederick Street and be sure and tell them that Pigsy sent you!

For further info. click here

www.designyard.com

Expressing myself: What I'm working on.....painting about Irish legends

Art Inspiration: Irish Legends

Fionn Macool

I’m currently working on a piece based on an old legend of Ireland. It is about Fionn Macool the leader of the Na Fianna warriors. The painting features Bran and Sceolang, Fionn’s two dogs and I am looking at the myth from a contemporary view and considering what Ireland needs saving from.

Art in situ

Art on Walls

It’s always amazing to see two things happen when a painting gets hung on a wall.

Transformation

The first thing that happens is that it completely transforms the whole space just by the simple action of putting a painting up. Then the second thing that happens is that the painting looks so completely different depending on where it is hung. and it also shouts out and appeals to people while it may not have before it was placed on the wall.

In regards to this, my advice would be to try art out. Hang pieces in different spots with different lighting and enjoy how they look and how you feel about them. It’s all subjective and down to personal taste so the main thing is how YOU feel about the art and whether YOU can live with it on your walls!

Art In-Situ

If you are an Art Collector, I’d advise you never rule out a piece until you see it in-situ or in a visualization of what it will look like in a particular space. Contact me for more details if you are interested.

Framed Art

When talking about hanging art on walls the question of frames always arise. Framing art can be very much about the preference of the art collector, the preference of the artist or the style of the house and the setting that the art will be hung in. The style of the art work is also important as some contemporary artworks look better unframed, or if they are going to be framed, care needs to be taken when choosing a frame to ensure that the frame is very subtle and does not interfere with the intention of the art. If you are interested in reading more about art framing, I’ve written extensively about framing art in another blog post - for more please see my art blog here.

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas 2018!

Christmas is always the time that I end up looking at the past and considering my time since last Christmas. 2018 has been one hell of a year and I’m thankful for all that has happened - lots of it beyond my wildest dreams. Here’s the highlights….

1. I returned to London to see the Basquiat exhibition in the Barbican after seeing it and LOVING it in 2017

2. “Pigsy” by Mike Andrews is completed and entered in to Film Festivals…..the waiting game starts and we wait notice to see if it will be selected for screening

3. We survive Storm Emma and the “big snow”!

4. Bones goes to the cinema when the Lighhouse screens a dog friendly showing of Isle of Dogs

5. I see the Emil Nolde exhibition in the National Gallery

6. 3 of my pieces are in Incognito

7. I visit Tenerife for a beautiful wedding and I get to visit the volcano which brings me right back to my childhood when I drove up to it with my parents about 35 years ago!

8. The 8th is repealed. I am so proud that my wife was one of those who went out and knocked on doors and asked for people to get out and vote Yes for women’s rights……and the people of Ireland responded positively.

9. I hang out with Kemp as he does stencil work in Hope Brewery - a lot of fun!

10. Future Islands in Donnybrook Stadium - with a great dinner in Dillingers beforehand

11. “Pigsy” short film is selected for the Galway Film Festival - it was fairly surreal to see it on the big screen

12. Wedding in Dingle - everything was awesome about this (fireworks!) and we stayed in the gorgeous Pax Guesthouse

13. I visit the gaelteacht - the beautiful Carraroe in Galway which is very inspirational

14. I design a tattoo for a friend

15. Elvis 68 comeback special is shown in the Stella on my Wedding Anniversary (well we did get married on the day Elvis died)

16. Bristol! I see my first Banksy in the wild

17. I attend another great wedding in Ireland just outside of Dublin - great to celebrate with the happy couple.

18. “Pigsy” screens in the Bristol Film Festival

19. I get to the Biennale in Venice - dreams do come true!

20. I show my art in London and get an brilliant response. This was BIG! Click here to read about it all and watch out for news in 2019 about what is next happening.

21. I sell out of “I Find You Fascinating” limited edition prints - lucky you if you are one of the collectors who got their hands on one of the 10

22. “Pigsy” goes on to screen in the Cork Film Festival - I’m getting used to walking the red carpet. Lol!

23. David Byrne plays in Dublin. Unbelievably good. The talent of this man is mind blowing.

24. We go sailing in the Caribbean - click here to read Enid’s blog about the trip.

25. Moonhole. Moonhole! I never thought I was going to get to visit Moonhole but somehow I did……the story of how it all happened is for another day.

26. We go back to London for the screening of “Pigsy” in the Irish Film Festival London

27. “Make a Fool” is auctioned in aid of the Julian Benson CF Foundation

28. “The Extra-Ordinary Crucified for You” is selected for the Design Yard Gallery in Dublin, Ireland

And this is only a small part of what went on in my life. Professionally there has been so much more with lots of architectural successes - but if I start there I will be going on forever!

I’m ending 2018 in a great place and I hope 2019 is even better! I’ve certainly got a lot of reasons to be cheerful.

All the best to my supporters (especially my biggest cheer girl, my wife Enid) - have a great Christmas and an incredible New Year!

Irish Film Festival London - Pigsy Screening

“PIGSY” screening at the Irish Film Festival

Mike Andrew’s short documentary “Pigsy” screened as part of the Irish Film Festival London in the Irish Shorts section on Friday 23rd of November.

It was great to see this short film on the big screen in a big city and even more fun to walk the red carpet!

Well done to Filmmaker Mike Andrews and Editor Stephanie Sammon.

Click here to watch “PIGSY” film

The Other Art Fair - Interview with WinkBall Media

Winkball Media at the London Art Fair

Winkball interview with PIGSY about his art at the London Art Fair

Look out for me at 1.04 where I talk about my work!

IndieCork Film Festival

PIGSY screening: IndieCork Film Festival

After a very busy time in London at The Other Art Fair (with an awesome response to my work) it was on to Cork this weekend for the IndieCork Film Festival.

Mike Andrews short film Pigsy, featuring you know who, was screened twice. First on Saturday as part of the Irish Shorts programmes and then again on Sunday as part of Urban October.

Once again it was great to see the film on the big screen and well done to Mike - that’s 3 film festivals that it has been chosen to be screened at.

Click here to view the PIGSY short film

36 hours in Bristol

Bristol we will be back!

Banksy in Bristol

36 hours was not enough. After leaving our house at 4am for our flight to Bristol we hit the ground running when we landed in Bristol going straight in to the city, stopping off for breakfast (in Pinkman’s Bakery) and then on to a museum before rocking up at 11am for a Street Art Walking Tour that I had booked on line. However, the most exciting thing was that we happened upon our very first Banksy in the wild literally as we walked along the road as we looked for somewhere to have breakfast. Just brilliant!

Bristol Independent Film Festival

After the walking tour (it was excellent) we got to our hotel by 2pm and checked in. I had booked a superior suite so we had access to the executive suite where we had time for a relaxing drink before we got a taxi to the stunning Everyman Theatre for the Bristol Independent Film Festival where the Pigsy documentary was being screened. We saw some excellent films and when the festival finished we made our way to the very cool Quay St. Diner for dinner. The theatre itself that the festival was on in was a stunning 1920’s art deco cinema building.

Bristol Bus Tour & another Banksy

Then on Sunday we had a leisurely breakfast before making our way to the nearest bus stop to get out on an open top bus for a tour all over the city and even out to Brunel’s suspension bridge which we were very interested in seeing. After the bus tour we took a walk down the docks and visited the M Shed Museum which was very interesting and we got to see another Banksy - the one that he painted on the side of the Thekla boat. At this point we had enough walking so we went over to the little arthouse Watershed Cinema where we took in the Polish movie “Cold War”. After the film it was off to Spitfire for wings before we got on the bus back to the airport for our flight home to Ireland.

Phew we did so much!

All in all, we thought Bristol was a cool chilled out hip city and we look forward to returning again.

Here’s a few pics from the weekend.

Getting set for my next showing

Art Show Preparation

I've lots of work to get done in order to get ready for my next showing as part of The Other Art Fair London. Flights & accommodation are booked and now I have to organise shipping of my art.

Curator Kemp

Before I could make shipping arrangements the final selection of art needed to be made. There is only one man who can make that final selection and that is curator Kemp. 

Kemp called yesterday and spent the afternoon looking at the pieces that I had selected for the show. He is honest, critical and doesn't hold back - which is exactly what I need.

Kemp curating with the assistance of Bones

So now that the final selection is made, I got down to laying out the fair space and deciding what piece goes where.

Virtual art layout

So with final selection made, along with the decision how it will be hung, the next thing is for the info sheet to be completed which outlines each piece and gives the background on each one - again this is for the main man - curator Kemp!  Watch this space......

For info about The Other Art Fair and for details on complimentary tickets, click here.

I look forward to seeing you at the fair - look out for me on stand no. 99!

"Pigsy" screening at the Bristol Independent Film Festival

“Pigsy” Official Selection at the Bristol Independent Film Festival 2018

Mike Andrews short film "Pigsy" will be screened as part of the Bristol Independent Film Festival on the 15th - 16th of September.

Watch the film to see artist PIGSY and his life with dyslexia.

PIGSY film is now online!

Connemara: In the footsteps of Charles Lamb

The Old Knitting Factory in Carraroe

Artist Charles Lamb in Carraroe

After spending a weekend in Carraroe (where we stayed in the The Old Knitting Factory Cottage), I can see why the artist Charles Lamb spent his life there painting scenes of everyday folk working in Connemara along with painting the lake.

Loch an Mhuilinn in Carraroe

I spent time by Loch an Mhuilinn (Mill Lake) which was stunningly beautiful and very peaceful. It was brilliant to be able to climb down to the lakeside, due to it being very low after a Summer of drought in Ireland, and listen to the waves lapping the shore.

The Old Knitting Factory was established to create employment in the locality for the women of the Gaeltacht. The cottage was also used as a movie theatre too in the 1960’s! It sure was a different time in Ireland then.

Here's a few pics I captured over the weekend:

The View of Loch an Mhuillin from The Old Knitting Factory

The Old Knitting Factory, Connemara

See here for more info on the history of The Old Knitting Factory and what it’s current use is.

"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.

View fullsize

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!