How to set up a "Home Cinema" in your back yard!

Have you ever wanted to watch Movies in the Garden?

Here’s how you can set up your own home movie theatre in your backyard in a few easy steps!

When I lived in Ireland I always thought that having a home cinema in your back garden was something very cool. However with good weather being fairly unreliable I never went ahead and set up one in my garden.

However, when I moved to Malaga in Spain I figured that it would be the perfect opportunity to go ahead with my plan and set up a home movie theatre on my balcony - or as a balcony is called in Spain, my “terrace”. During these covid times I am not venturing to the cinema and so having a home movie screen means that I am not missing out on watching films but I am also social distancing at home and therefore keeping my circle of contacts very small. Home entertainment definitely seems like a wise choice at this time. Also here in Malaga the weather is perfect for sitting outside in late at night. It is September now and still very warm.

The terrace in my apartment is perfect for a home cinema set up. We live on the top floor (atico) and there is a gable wall of the apartment next to us, that is in a perfect position for us to use to project movies on to.

Home Cinema Location Choice

The terrace in my apartment is perfect for a home cinema set up. We live on the top floor (atico) and there is a gable wall of the apartment next to us, that is in a perfect

Look how the projection looks like when the sun goes down!

We are currently watching “Narcos” and the outdoor projector is definitely giving us that “big screen” experience at home.

Here’s how I set up home cinema experience on my terrace and the steps you can take in order to set up your home movie theatre (indoors or outdoors).

Follow through the steps I outline below to set up your own outdoor movie theatre in your garden or on your terrace!

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5 Steps to Set Up your Home Cinema

1. Scope out where is the best place to project on to. You are going to need a large blank wall (preferably white), but if you don’t have a blank wall you can buy a projector screen and use that.

2. Consider how you are going to power your projector and laptop set up. If you don’t have an outside plug you are going to need to use an extension lead or power strip with a long cable.

3. Buy a projector. I bought mine on Amazon and it was delivered ridiculously fast. I ordered it about 3pm on Friday and it arrived the next day at 9.30am. Projectors can be really pricy but I budgeted about 100 euro and decided upon the Vamvo Full HD 1080P Mini L4200 Projector with Dolby.

4. Think about speakers. The projector I purchased has built in speakers which worked perfectly. However, my apartment is above a really busy street with bars and restaurants below so it is NOISY! I am going to try using an additional blue tooth portable speaker that I have and look at connecting it by cable to the projector. Depending on your situation, you may not need additional speakers and the built in ones on the projector may suffice.

5. Set up is very easy. Firstly it is a matter of plugging in your laptop and projector and then connecting them together with an HDMI cable.

6. You will then need to look at positioning the projector in order to have the screen the size you need on the wall.

7. Finally once you have something up on the screen you can use the manual lens focus to get the screen in to focus.

Choose snacks and wait for the sun to go down!

It’s that easy to set up your own home movie entertainment system - all you have to do now is decide on what chairs to use (I like a lounger with a light blanket), what snacks to eat and then wait for the sun to go down!

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Benefits of a Home Cinema

If I haven’t sold you already on the Home Cinema concept, here’s a list of some of the benefits

1. You can watch what you like when you like (although if you have set up outside, you will need to wait until it gets dark. If you went for an indoor set up you can just pull the curtains!)

2. You can make your own snacks and just pause the movie when you go for a refill of popcorn in the kitchen

3. The family pet can enjoy the film too!

4. You don’t need to get a babysitter if you have little ones in the house - just pop them to bed promptly and set up the cinema in the front room

5. You can watch a film over two nights if you get tired halfway through it

6. You can have a beer or wine or even a cocktail while watching your movie…….a signature cocktail could be created for when you are showing a film or you could even create a specialty cocktail while watching particular films eg. 1920’s cocktails for The Great Gatsby

7. You can lounge and wear your pyjamas and get cosy under a blanket

8. You can talk during the film

Have I missed out on any other benefits to watching movies at home? Let me know in the comments section below!

My top picks for "the best of" Malaga

Visit Malaga

Malaga is a wonderful city to visit and enjoy a vacation in. It’s very accessible, arty and pet friendly. When you visit Malaga, you can head straight to all of these great cafes and restaurants, which are my recommendations for what I think is “the best of” Malaga City.

• Pastries, Cakes & Breads

Julia Bakery on Calle Carreteria for the best pastries and cakes. Their orange and chocolate brioche is divine and big enough for two to share. They also do a good coffee and a great selection of bagels for breakfast.

Edit - Feb 2022, Unfortunately I heard that Julia Bakery is now closed.

• Coffee

In no particular order, (1) Dulces Dreams is in a chilled out setting on Plaza de los Mártires Ciriaco y Paula and does a great cup of coffee in this beautiful micro square (2) Avokate on Calle Granada while I also enjoy (3) Mia Coffee Shop next door to Dulces Dreams.

• Tapas

Casa Lola has the best Russian Salad and is great for a relaxed dinner of tapas. There are three different locations of this restaurant but we prefer the one on Calle Granada the best.

• Pasta

Spagos on Calle Caldereria does the most amazing fresh pasta with choice of sauces. It’s available both sit in and take away

• Pizza

Madí on Calle San Augustin is our go to for pizza (and their pasta is excellent too). We received the recommendation from an Italian guy and I guess if anyone knows good pizza it is Italians!

• Churros

Churreria La Malaguena on Calle Sebastian Souviron has an authentic old fashioned feel to it and it’s the place to go for churros. They have no menu so order a coffee and pitufo for breakfast and you will be sorted!

La Malaguena - Pitufo and Coffee

Churro and Cafe Cortado

• Ambiance

Cafe Populus on Calle Alamos is where we are doing our Spanish Language Classes with Clara of “Speak and Learn”. It is in the beautiful Anahita Boutique Hotel and we sit out in the open roofed (but enclosed) terrace space for our lesson where we meet with teacher Clara. It is a beautiful space and very tranquil and quiet.

• Hot Chocolate

Casa Aranda on Calle Santos (across from my studio) feels like it has been around forever - it’s an institution in Malaga and has been in existence since the 1930’s. It’s the type of place that I imagine Picasso probably enjoyed a churro and hot chocolate in. It’s a must visit to partake in the same.

• Breakfast (Desayuno en Malaga)

Recyclo Bike Cafe is a cool spot - have a breakfast while your bike is in for a service!

Desayuno in Recyclo Bike Cafe in Malaga

Omelette

Let me know in the comments below if you visited any of these great spots or if you have any other Malaga recommendations.

Alcazaba in Malaga City

The Malaga Citadel a great historical site to visit that is not mentioned in the above post.You can find details of my visit to the walkway designed by OAM Architects here on my blog - it’s a must visit!

Poetry & Art: Poetry is inspiring!

What inspires my art?

I’m often asked what inspires my art.

To answer I would have to say just about everything in life does, be it positive or negative.

Poetry & Art

Currently I am going through a phase of listening to a lot of poetry and I truly find this very inspiring. My favourite poem to listen to at this time is “When all the others were away at mass” by Seamus Heaney. It was voted the nation’s favourite poem. back in about 2015 in Ireland, and I can see why. Seamus Heaney is a poet that turns the mundane in to something mystical but he can also reach in to the human psyche and pull out raw emotion that can be painful. My wife can’t talk about his poem “Mid-Term Break” without tearing up at the line “A Four-Foot Box, A Foot for Every Year”.

“When all the others were away at Mass” is a reference to the mother-son relationship and this theme can be seen in some of my art pieces. I am currently working on an art work that relates to my mother and some of the emotions that I am working through in relation to the natural aging process and the cycle of life and death. Due to the rawness of it I am not ready to share the art work with the world just yet. But I will in time.

Where to buy art supplies in Malaga, Spain.....

Are you an artist looking for art supplies in Malaga?

Here’s a list of the best places for artists to buy art supplies in Malaga, Spain

When I first arrived in Malaga I had no idea where to start buying art supplies for my work in the studios of La Casa Amarilla. However, I’ve done the hard leg work now, so you don’t have to which means you can spend more time doing creative things in the art studio rather than searching out all of the places to buy art supplies in Malaga!

See below for full info about all of the art stores in Malaga where you can purchase art supplies for your artistic work.

Olimpia Fine Arts

C / Méndez Núñez 10, 29008 Málaga, Spain

Olimpia Fine Arts

When I arrived in Malaga, I set about locating all of the art supply stores. Luckily for me and purely by chance the apartment I rented is literally steps away from Olimpia Fine Art shop near Uncibay Plaza. It’s got an excellent range of products and I particularly recommend their hand stretched canvas which come in various sizes and are reasonably priced. And if you visit here, you can tell Francisco that the Irish artist PIGSY sent you here!

Iberia Art

Calle Atarazanas, 15, 29005 Málaga

Iberia Art

Iberia Art is located conveniently near the market in Malaga, Iberia Art is a treasure trove of art supplies. It is my go to store for spray paint. I also like how they are very active on instagram and have always shared my insta posts when I tag them!

It seems like a family run busines and they run it in the old school way where all of your items are priced up on a little docket by a staff member and you then take this docket up to whoever is manning (or womanning) the cash register in order to pay at the til.

The Place

Calle Cordoba 6, Malaga

The Place, Soho

I hit the motherload when I found “The Place” on Cordoba Street in Soho. It’s a mixed use cooperative of urban street wear, grafitti supplies, tattoo parlour, skateboard shop and a hairdresser! It’s awesome - there’s loads of edgy and cool stuff to look at. The spray cans and oil sticks are keenly priced too so I will definitely be returning soon for more supplies.

Along with being great for spray paint, the clothes are really good with a lot of USA brands available including Carhart and The Loser Machine.

Govez

Calle Puerta del Mar 18, Malaga

Govez

I happened upon this place when I was heading to Iberia Art. They have loads of paper supplies and pens and some art supplies but to me it seems more like a specialist stationery supplier than an art shop proper. They do sell canvas as well as paint. For things like paperclips and other mundane supplies this is a conveniently located shop that is well stocked. Along with this the staff are friendly and offer their assistance as soon as you go in the door. All ways good to take up the offer of assistance because anything that helps you get back to being creative in the art studio is the way to go!

Arvasa Frame Shop

Calle Compañía 32, Malaga

Arvasa Framing Shop, Malaga

Arvasa is a picture framing shop just down the way from the Museo Carmen Thyssen. I’m not to sure what’s going on with it because I passed by it today and unfortunately it looks like it is closing down. I had called to them a few weeks ago and made enquiries about getting some paintings framed and it did not look like this. The windows had a nice display at that time and the signage was perfect unlike the photo above. I’ll check it out again in a few week and will update this blog post if they are just closed for a refurbishment.

Update - as of 2024, this shop is still closed down which is a really pity as it is very centrally located - come to think of it, it would make a great art gallery or art studio in Malaga.

Vasco Informatica

Avenida de Manuel Agustín Heredia 14, Malaga

Vasco

This store is more of a stationers but sells plenty of things like paper, markers, pens and glues sticks etc.

Critaleria Malaguena - Framing Shop

Located on Calle Carretería 29 in Malaga Centro

An excellent framing shop in Malaga - they also stretched canvas for me!

Cardboard roll - from fabric store trash!

Found Objects - making art from things found on the streets of Malaga

Additionally I have bought art supplies in some of the hardware stores found around the city. However, the one thing that I am struggling with is “Found Objects”. I had planned to make art with objects that I found in skips on the street. But to be honest, Malaga is so spotlessly clean I am not finding these items, bar what I got in the pics above!

I saw the cardboard roll being thrown in the bin in a fabric store so I went in and asked could I have it. They very kindly obliged me.

But watch this space. I will continue on the search for Found Objects and other art shops too.

Canvas from Olimpia Arte

Where I paint in Malaga…..

I’m currently a resident artist in La Casa Amarilla. Call in and see the gallery on Calle Santos in the centre of the city near Calle Neuve.

PIGSY Short Film

To know more about me and my art work click below to watch the PIGSY short film

Art Opening: Luis Alhama at La Casa Amarilla in Malaga, Spain

Art Opening: Luis Alhama in La Casa Amarilla

Luis Alhama:

“Fisuras en el Paisaje”

La Casa Amarilla

C/ Santos 7, Malaga, Spain

10th Sept - 10th Oct 2020

Pigsy and Enid Bebbington at Luis Alhama show

Art Opening in Malaga

Little by little, life begins to feel more normal. On Thursday I went to my first exhibition opening night since the pandemic and not only did it bring feelings of normality but it brought great enjoyment - I really enjoyed everything about it. There is always a great buzz on an opening night, the feeling of anticipation as you approach a venue and then when you are greeted by great art you know your anticipation was warranted.

La Casa Amarilla Exhibition

Thursday evening in Malaga was just like that, when I visited La Casa Amarilla for the opening night of Luis Alhama’s exhibition “Fisuras en el Paisaje” (Cracks in the Landscape). As we approached the gallery we could see and hear the excited crowd of show goers. We mingled outside for a little bit (with a physical distance) and then went in to the gallery to take the art in.

Once inside the gallery on Calle Santos, there was plenty of space to enjoy the presentation of Luis Alhama’s artwork. It’s a small gallery but most people moved to the outside space after they had finished viewing so it felt very safe and comfortable. The artwork was very impressive and excellently curated. The pieces were stunningly beautiful with the add on of some background sounds of nature which sounded like they were coming from within the sculptures. It’s a brilliant thought provoking exhibition and is open for a month until the 10th of October - do go and view it if you are in Malaga Centro.

American Dyslexia Association features PIGSY short film

Dyslexia and PIGSY - the film

Thank you to the American Dyslexia Association for featuring the PIGSY short film by Mike Andrews on their website.

Click here to view the PIGSY film on my website.

This film had it’s premiere showing in the Galway Film Festival in 2018 and then went on to be shown in film festivals in the UK and Ireland. It features me and how my life has been as a person with dyslexia and I hope that it can be an inspiration to others with the condition.

European Dyslexia Week

Beyond being shared by many of the world’s Dyslexia Support Organisations, the film was also screened by Irish Libraries in 2021 to mark European Dyslexia Week. As someone who is married to a librarian, this was something I was so very proud to be part of ,as libraries do amazing work and provide the most fantastic supports and resources here in Ireland as well as running services from some of the most beautiful buildings that were provided by Andrew Carnegie and are now being maintained by library authorities all over Ireland. Andrew Carnegie left his mark all over the world and libraries are a testament to his legacy.

e-Services from your local library

Of course libraries have moved on to provide services beyond the traditional offerings within the bricks and mortar of the buildings. With e-Resource offerings there are free e-Books and e-Audio Books available (I love audio books!) and also things like educational courses that can be done at any time online. Additionally many libraries offer and lend such things as Tablets for Older People to stay connected, and I see that DLR libraries offer reading pens which will be of so much benefit to many different types of users.

With most services offered free of charge in libraries in Ireland, there has never been a better time to join up and see what is available. And if you aren’t interested in borrowing a book you can always attend some of the events that they host - there really is something for everyone from the library!

Malaga Museum Visit: CAC Malaga - Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga

Contemporary Art at the CAC Malaga - Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga

CAC Malaga

Sunday was a 2 museum visit day! I visited the Contemporary Art Centre (the CAC) in Malaga in the morning time and then in the late afternoon at 5pm, I visited the Carmen Thyssen museum again before I went to my studio to do some work. The visit to the Carmen Thyssen was literally a flying visit as once we got in, we took the lift straight to the top floor to the temporary exhibition “Mascaras”. I’ll blog about that separately.

So back to my visit to the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo.

Forget about the art, I was seriously impressed by the building itself. The CAC is housed in an old 1930’s warehouse which you can read more about here. The rooms have really high ceilings and the whole place is extremely spacious and open plan and it lends itself to showcasing massive pieces of contemporary art.

Juan F. Lacomba at the CAC Malaga

The exhibition that we most wanted to visit was the exhibition of artist Juan F. Lacomba which ran from May to the 30th of August and so Sunday was the last day that it would be seen. The exhibition was titled “Aquí a lo lejos” (Here in the distance) and it consisted of many large scale works along with numerous smaller pieces that were arranged in a grid like patterns by the curator. To my mind, nature was to the forefront of many of the pieces but they were intensely layered canvas with an organic depth and feel to them. It was a very impressive exhibition and I was immensely glad to see it on the last day.

I intend to return very soon to the CAC to see the next exhibition that is on show. For further info about the Centro de Arte Contemporaneo de Malaga, click here.

Museum Visit: Centre Pompidou Malaga

Centre Pompidou Malaga

Architecture of Renzo Piano in Malaga

Yesterday I visited the very impressive Centre Pompidou Malaga. Designed by Architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, it’s a stunning building that showcases the artwork within to amazing effect. The design of the building is certainly to be marveled at but the collection that I viewed was more of a marvel and to say it floated my boat is an understatement!

Malaga Marina Area

The museum itself is down by the marina which is a fabulous area of Malaga. I recommend a visit to the museum to get out of the heat of the day and then take a stroll down the marina and go for a drink afterwards to discuss all that you saw in the museum!

The building houses a cube of coloured panels above ground that from when viewed at below ground in the museum, the void within has the most amazing shadows that gave me a reminder of a Mondrian painting.

Spanish Artists

The current collection is broad ranging and takes in artists such as Miro, Picasso, Barcelo and Picabia. It also introduced me to some new concepts such as “The Matterists”. I was most taken by a 1929 piece by Francis Picabia which was titled “Sphinx” but in reality I liked most of the art on display and massively enjoyed my visit to the museum. A perfect Sunday activity here in Malaga.

Miro in Pompidou Centre Malaga

A Move to Malaga for PIGSY

A move for artist PIGSY from Ireland to Spain

New Spanish adventure!

It is the start of a new adventure for myself, Enid & Bones!
I am here in Spain (the beautiful city of Malaga) for the foreseeable future to PAINT!

New Art Studio in Malaga

We rented a little apartment along with studio space to work in (en La Casa Amarilla).

It’s a fantastic opportunity to move from Ireland at this time and I am feeling very positive about this amazing adventure for us.

2020 has been one hell of a year but I think this move is a positive one.

PIGSY is going to enter in to an immensely creative period!!

Contact me for further information

My artwork is available through The Designyard Gallery - do pop in to view if you are in Dublin in Ireland (say Hi to Ronan for me!) or you can also view available pieces online, with shipping available worldwide.

My studio is open to visitors (in a socially distanced manner) so get in contact if you want to visit me here in Malaga!

"Savage" : In-spire Gallerie, Group Show

“Savage” Group Show with In-Spire Gallery

31st of July 2020 at In-Spire Gallery, Dublin

PIGSY is part of the latest In-spire Galerie Group Show.

Curated by Dino Notaro, participants Include: PIGSY, Egoluna, Niamh O’Connor, Tracy Watt, Chris O’Hara, Jennifer Smith, Ignacio Arumburu, Aine O’Hara, Frank O’Dea & Marie Noonan McDermott

A Ramble through Ranelagh

Join artist PIGSY on a walk through Ranelagh!

Ranelagh, Dublin 6, Ireland

When you ramble through Ranelagh a small urban village in Dublin with an art canvas under your arm on a warm sunny May Day……and the route to the framing shop takes you down laneways, through the park, under alleyways, past a vintage Mini Cooper and on to “Framexperts” next to Nick’s Coffee.

Ireland is the best on days like this and it certainly makes me thankful that I live in a great village with fantastic amenities and shops like Ranelagh!

**Exciting News** I'm getting to paint THIS!

Art Commission

Dinosaur Bust

Out of the blue, I’ve been given the opportunity to paint this awesome Dinosaur Head. Fondly called “Rex” by the owner of this artwork, it’s an exciting commission and I’m looking forward to getting down to work on it.

Watch this space and let’s see this piece get the “Pigsyfication” treatment and watch it ROAR!

Custom Painted Dinosaur Head

And here’s the final custom painted bust. Newly named “Rex the Protector-saurus” (apt in times of covid) he takes pride of place on the wall in his home!

This was a really fun piece to paint - I had a great time doing it. Let me know what you think of him - is he terrifying?!

I think he is a definite head turner and makes for a serious interest piece in any living room. Unique statement art will always provoke a reaction which is a good thing in my opinion.

Pandemic Painting

“Phoenix Rising” - an expressionist response to lockdown in Dublin, Ireland in March 2020

We are living through a Pandemic.

So I am painting.

We will get through this. We will rise up. Stay positive!

Art always helps.

UPDATE! “Phoenix Rising” *SOLD*

“Phoenix Rising” is now SOLD and is in-situ in the new owner’s house as part of their art collection

2020 St Patricks Day in Ireland

2020: St Patricks Day Ireland

A strange day here in Ireland as the seriousness of the pandemic unfolds and the government takes steps to flatten the curve and stop the spread of Covid 19.

We need to be warriors

In Irish legend and according to the most popular account of Fionn MacCumhail’s death, he is not dead at all, rather, he sleeps in a cave, surrounded by the Fianna. One day he will awake and defend Ireland in the hour of her greatest need.
You are needed awake now Fionn not just for Ireland but for the world.

“Needed Awake Now”

1600mm W x 1600mm H Mixed Media on Canvas

Contact DesignYard Gallery for further information

Irish Squash Open

Irish Squash Open

The Irish Squash Open is on 21st - 25th of April 2020 in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club.

As both a squash player and an artist I’m happy to show you the poster for the event which features my artwork “Squash Soldiers”

The original artwork “Squash Soldiers” is on view in Fitzwilliam Tennis Club.

Edit. This blog was originally written on March 9th 2020. Of course as we all know now, Covid19 was beginning to take hold in Ireland and by March 15th the pubs were closed and the country was going in to lockdown. This meant events were cancelled as was the Irish Squash Open

Edit no. 2 - Feb 2020 - “Squash Soldiers” is now available as a print

New range of Limited Edition Prints now available for sale in the Designyard Gallery

Limited Edition Pigsy Prints in Designyard

Due to popular demand I’m pleased to announce that a new range of Pigsy limited edition prints are now available in a variety of sizes in the Designyard Gallery in South Frederick Street, Dublin, Ireland.

Designyard Gallery

The Designyard Gallery is open Monday to Saturday or you can visit online (click here) - worldwide shipping available.

Click through gallery below to see different prints that are for sale in the Designyard Gallery

Broken Cortex

Cyberpunk

The Extra-Ordinary Crucified for You - Limited Edition Print

I Find You Fascinating - Limited Edition Print

"Mo Laoch" Limited Edition Print

A Nation of Fools

Limited Edition PIGSY Prints with Custom Frames

PIGSY artworks are printed on Hannemuhle Fine Art Paper mounted on dibond. The prints are framed in a custom designed bespoke lime washed tray frame that has a very architectural aesthetic with a proportioned shadow gap.

The collection of prints are available on the Designyard website with worldwide shipping and the make the perfect gift for a newly married couple or a new home owner.

New Year 2020: Looking back on 2019

Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020

New Year is always a time that I end up looking at the past and considering my time since last Christmas. 2019 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 0f 2019…. (in no particular order)

1. “Pigsy” film is released online

2. I go sailing in Turkey and on to Greece - a really great trip and a definite highlight of the year - read about it here

3. Pigsy film screens in Fitzwilliam along with an exhibition of my work

4. Released a limited edition print of “The Extra-Ordinary Crucified For You”

5. Climbed Carrantuohil

6. 3 of my pieces were in Incognito

7. I visited Key West in May for a very chilled out trip staying with Enid’s twin sister Amy

8. My painting “Duval Flag” is a part of the Key West Business Guild Pride month fundraiser

9. In squash I won the Fitzwilliam Vets Club Championship O/45

10. I paint my largest piece to date : “Squash Soldiers”

11. Part of the team that won the Leinster League and Cup O/40s

12. I travel to San Pedro to play Padel Tennis

13. I spend Christmas in Key West

14. My art work goes on sale in the Design Yard Gallery with representation by Ronan Campbell

15. Made a big plan for 2020…..watch this space

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!

Here’s to 2020!

I’m ending 2019 in a great place and I know 2020 will be even better! I’ve certainly got a lot of reasons to be cheerful.

Pictured below is some of the Pigsy Artwork available in the the Designayard Gallery, Dublin City

PIGSY Artwork available through Designyard

Put Art in your Cart for Christmas!

Christmas Presents for Art Lovers

Are you considering a gift of art for someone special this Christmas?

For the person who has everything art is the unique gift that they will be delighted to find under the Christmas tree this year.

I’m happy to present some perfect options below including both prints and originals.

See the Designyard Gallery website

“V.I.P”

1500mm W x 750mm H

Mixed Media on Canvas

“Cloigeann an Diabhal”

600mm W x 600mm

Mixed Media on canvas

“The Extra-Ordinary Crucified for You” (Prints & Original available from the Designyard Gallery)

“The Extra-Ordinary Crucified for You”

Framed Print

440mm x 345mm on Hannemuhle Fine Art Paper Mounted on Dibond with Lime Washed Tray Frame

"Pigsy" Short Film Screening & Art Showcase Event in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club

PIGSY Film Screening and Art Showcase

Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club - Tuesday 3rd of October 2019

An Art Exhibition and Documentary Screening with Pigsy

PIGSY Art Showcase

Recently I got the opportunity to present a showcase of my artwork along with a screening of Mike Andrew’s “Pigsy” short film. After the film, Kevin Moore of Legacy Communications interviewed me live where we discussed my art, my process and growing up with Dyslexia and how art helps me with dyslexia.. I really enjoyed the whole event and there was a great response to my art work and the short film, with lots of interesting questions from the audience.

Art on Court!

I’ve always thought that a squash court would make the most amazing space to exhibit art. Well for this event I was given that very opportunity by the Fitzwilliam Club. My art was displayed in two courts - one being the incredible show court in the club with bleacher seating for an audience for over 100 people. The art looked spectacular in the court and a carpet was laid down on the court to protect the wood floor.

Signature Cocktail - The “Pigtail”

All in all it was a fun night - helped in part by the Pigsy signature cocktail - the “Pigtail” - designed for the evening by myself and the bar manager of Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club!

Curator Steve Kemp, sets the scene:

Ciarán McCoy is a member of the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club

Pigsy paints abstract neo-expressionistic art pieces

Ciarán McCoy was born on the Northside of Dublin

Pigsy emerged at the blackboard of his primary school during break time

Ciarán McCoy was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child

Pigsy deals with his dyslexia by throwing off the shackles that have bound him in life and developing a free form style of painting where traditional structure and spelling mistakes are ignored

Ciarán McCoy plays squash

Pigsy uses whatever materials come to hand to produce his artworks but mainly spray paint, oil-paints-sticks, acrylics and chalk

Ciarán McCoy is an award winning architect

Pigsy has exhibited in Dublin, London and Florida

Ciarán McCoy established his architectural practise in 2005

Pigsy hosted a sold out show of his works in Fumbally Exchange, Dublin in 2017

Ciarán McCoy is an avid Irish speaker

On October 3rd two worlds crossed over as PIGSY exhibited his work where Ciarán McCoy usually comes to play

Ciarán McCoy is PIGSY is Ciarán McCoy

PIGSY is ART

PIGSY video directed by Mike Andrews

Squash Soldiers

“Squash Soldiers” by PIGSY an artwork about the game of squash by PIGSY

A large scale artwork about the competition of squash playing, now on display in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club

“Squash Soldiers”

Kemp writes about the latest Pigsy piece, a large scale art work that is now on display in the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin, Ireland.

In his latest and largest art piece created to date, PIGSY presents us with “Squash Soldiers”, a study of the benefits of undertaking a competitive practise. This is illustrated through squash, a sport that the artist has played at a high level since his youth.

Competition in Sport

The main two figures in the piece represent the “professional” and the “amateur” player and the connection between their relative ambitions. PIGSY afford both forms an equal billing in the painting to illustrate that the standard you play at is not as important as the benefits accrued from the participation.

The artist speaks of the unspoken bond formed by the repetition of a mutual experience, the achievement of a personal set of goals and the feel good factor achieved by a participatory role as far more beneficial than merely “being good” or “winning trophies”

Equality & Inclusivity in sport

As is usual in his work, the piece is flush with metaphor. The ghostly audience represent the standard bearers of the sport looking on. Both a left and right handed player can be seen either side of the painting to symbolise equality and inclusivity.

Finally, the artist’s perennial fascination with the functions of the brain are dotted throughout the work. The piece is gridded out to represent a squash court but also the eight parts of the brain that are utilised during a competitive pursuit.

Art Mug

“Squash Soldiers” is now available on a printed enamel mug from the PIGSY merchandise store. Contact me to find out more….

Edit - Feb 2022

Squash Soldiers available as a limited edition print!

Squash Soldiers is available as a framed limited edition print. The print has a bespoke custom frame designed by Ciaran McCoy. It makes a great gift - contact me for further info.