Original Framed Studies as part of "Catharsis to Collapse" in Kenmare Butter Market /  by PIGSY

Original Framed PIGSY Art Studies

As part of my “Catharsis to Collapse” exhibition in Kenmare Butter Market, I presented a series of 8 framed original paper studies. These art works are custom framed in a bespoke frame designed by me. They are accessible works of art given their size (you can carry them under your arm!) and will compliment most home decor. They are accessibly priced at €420 per framed paper study (with unframed studies available for €250). Contact me for further details as to which are still available

French lady Axell stands in front of a series of PIGSY original art studies with custom frames that will compliment your home interior design. PIGSY paper studies are available framed with a bespoke frame or unframed and you can frame yourself. Acce…
Stunningly simple neutral frame that will enhance the interior design in your home - add art in to your life today or start and art collection for the special person in your life on their birthday. Art is a wonderful addition to anyone’s life and th…

Art as a Wedding Gift

PIGSY original art makes for a fantastic wedding gift for couples and gives them a start to their art collection. The framed paper studies are a particularly good option for a house warming or wedding gift as the new collector can start with one piece and then add more to their collection as time goes on. Given the size of these framed art works, they can be easily mailed as gifts or can be nicely presented and given by hand. They literally will fit under your arm so are convenient to gift to someone. The neutral bespoke frame, specified by myself will compliment most home decor and design and will enhance all homes or buildings.

Birthday Gift

So if someone special in your life has an upcoming birthday, get in contact with me today to discuss these art works and to make a selection for the special one in your life. Pick up can be arranged in Dublin City, or the art work can be mailed to a destination of your choice.

Contact me if you have any questions or require further information!

Live Painting Performance in Kenmare Butter Market for Culture Night /  by PIGSY

Cuture Night: Live PIGSY Painting Performance

Culture Night was A LOT of fun! I did a live painting performance in the centre of Kenmare at the Kenmare Butter Market. Check out these images of me creating a work on the street until the sun went down. The music was blaring and given that painting is thirsty work, I was glad to partake in a Torc Brewing Killarney Beer!

See below for a video of the live painting.

Ranelagh Artist PIGSY of Dublin paints on the streets of Kenmare, Co Kerry for Culture Night 2021

Opening Night: "Catharsis of Collapse" at Kenmare Butter Market /  by PIGSY

PIGSY’s “Catharsis of Collapse” opens in Kenmare Butter Market

PIGSY and his wife Enid Bebbington at the opening of his “Catharsis of Collapse” Art Exhibition which opened on 2nd of Sept 2021.

PIGSY and his wife Enid Bebbington at the opening of his “Catharsis of Collapse” Art Exhibition which opened on 2nd of Sept 2021.

“Catharsis of Collapse” is on view in Kenmare Butter Market until October 2nd.

“Catharsis of Collapse” is sponsored by Torc Brewing and with more than 25 original artworks (including 3 sculptures) on display, along with a movie projection, the PIGSY art show brings contemporary neo-expressionism to the County Kerry town of Kenmare in Ireland.

I was honoured to have Poet Tim Buckley open my exhibition.

There will be a special PIGSY art event in Kenmare Butter Market on the 17th of Sept for Culture Night. Watch this space for more……but in the meanwhile, enjoy the photos (by Roman Puech) below of the opening night!

Hotel Art: PIGSY's "I Find You Fascinating" and "A Nation of Fools" /  by PIGSY

PIGSY Art in Sheen Falls Lodge

As you can see from PIGSY standing beside this artwork in the hall of Sheen Falls it is a really massive painting….however there are also smaller limited edition prints of “I Find You Fascinating” available through the Designyard curated by Ronan Ca…

Sheen Falls Lodge is a beautiful hotel surrounded in a stunning setting just outside the town of Kenmare on the Sheen Water Falls.

I was proud to visit Sheen Falls Lodge in recent times to deliver a large PIGSY painting and to see it hung in the hotel along with two other PIGSY art works,

“I Find You Fascinating” is now on view in the main stairwell with “A Nation of Fools” hanging in the gorgeous Drawing Room.

Large Scale Hotel Art

“I Find You Fascinating” is a large scale artwork and it is a vivid art piece with bright colours and a bold print. It is currently hung on a wall painted in a muted tone (it’s a great backdrop to the painting) alongside two stylish mid-century modern lounge chairs in a green fabric with cushions.

Drawing Room

In the Drawing Room, there is a further PIGSY artwork on view. This is a piece that is a lot smaller than “Fascinating”. It’s “A Nation of Fools” which is available as a limited edition print (from Designyard). The original artwork was part of my Fumbally exhibition in Dublin City and is now in private ownership in the home of a Dublin Art Collector.

Wild Atlantic Way

It was a proud moment to see my art hanging in such beautiful hotel as Sheen Falls Lodge and I am very happy to know that it will be enjoyed by guests and visitors to the hotel. Kerry of course is on the Wild Atlantic Way so make it a stop if you are on this spectacular Irish trail.

Artist PIGSY with his wife Enid Bebbington

PIGSY Exhibition in the Kenmare Butter Market

And while you are in Kenmare, be sure and visit the Kenmare Butter Market Contemporary Art Space during the month of September to see the PIGSY Art Exhibition “Catharsis of Collapse” which is open now and runs until October 2nd.

PIGSY's "Catharsis of Collapse" /  by PIGSY

“Catharsis of Collapse” by PIGSY (Sept 2nd - Oct 2nd Kenmare Butter Market)

Large attendance at PIGSY art exhibition in Kenmare Butter Market with Poet Tim Buckley giving the opening speech at PIGSY’s “Catharsis of Collapse”

With Opening Speech by Poet Tim Buckley

I was honoured to have Poet Tim Buckley open my “Catharsis” Art Exhibition in Kenmare Butter Market on Thursday 2nd of Sept. To stand beside Tim at the top of thegallery and to hear him speak so passionately about my work was very moving for me. I can’t thank Tim enough.

Here are the words, Tim spoke on the night:

Tim Buckley’s Opening Speech at PIGSY Art Exhibition

First of all I just want to thank Mirka for inviting me to attend this wonderful facility. What an addition to Kenmare! Which probably has the greatest concentration of galleries per head of population in the country and that says an awful lot about the town and its people, many who have long understood the importance of art not only as a means of decoration but as a way of inspiring and also subliminally granting them permission to dive in and surf their own internal emotions and questions and turn them to something positive.

Poet Tim Buckley in full flow giving his opening speech at PIGSY’s “Catharsis of Collapse” in Kenmare Butter Market

Poet Tim Buckley in full flow giving his opening speech at PIGSY’s “Catharsis of Collapse” in Kenmare Butter Market

My grandmother Madge Clifford from Firies, Co Kerry would certainly be smiling down on me this evening, She was personal secretary to Ernie O’Malley during his revolutionary years. Latterly he became one of the great champions of Irish Modernism at a time when it was needed, promoting such artists as Evie Hone, Mainie Jellett along with other well-known figures such as Jack B. Yeats and Louis le Brocquy. He lived for a period with Georgia O’Keefe, the photographer George Strand and Ansel Adams in Taos New Mexico.

He once said “my soul lies with the arts, in them lies happiness”. His personal collection was sold recently for 5.5 million so while he enjoyed the art his children reaped other awards.

Picasso’s words resonate when we look at the works around when said “the purpose of art is to wash the daily dust off our souls”. PIGSY’s art gifts us all the colour, the vibrancy, the light as well as the shade to understand and finds a language to translate our moods, our questions into something untutored ancient and tribal. It combines a child like quality of playing without borders while at the same time inventing the artists own unique language to translate all the ambiguity of feelings.

While Paul Henry painted the landscapes and skies of Connemara, PIGSY lifts the lid of his own skull to paint the landscapes of our mind in all its convoluted brilliance and mystery.

Another Picasso quote comes to mind “art is not the application of a canon of beauty. But what instinct and the brain can conceive beyond any canon, when we love a woman we don’t start measuring her limbs”.

PIGSY in front of his artwork at the opening of his art exhibition in Kenmare Butter Market in Kerry, Ireland

The art here today shows a new modernism, not one of mimicry but of a confidence to explore the vast dominions and landscapes of the mind and to go where we should all attempt to go on a wild adventure without a map or preconditions.

Let me return to the title of the exhibition and that Greek word Catharsis meaning the process of releasing. and thereby providing relief from strong or repressed emotions if COVID has taught us anything is that we could all do with a dose of Catharsis.

I hope this wonderful exhibition will provide this impetus within us all and make us realise we need art in our lives as its medicine is very powerful. So invest in it, it will pay you back and make your heart sing.

Poet Tim Buckley with artist PIGSY at the opening of “Catharsis of Collapse” in Kenmare Butter Market in September 2021

“Catharsis of Collapse” is now open until Oct 2nd 2021

Kenmare Butter Market

Kerry, Ireland

Social & Personal, September Edition: The Artist's Liberation /  by PIGSY

The Artist’s Liberation: PIGSY’s “Catharsis of Collapse”

PIGSY and his new exhibition in Kenmare Butter Market is featured in Social & Personal’s Social Networking Column.

Curated by Kenmare Butter Market Creative Director, Claire Bunbury, artist PIGSY’s exhibition opens on Thursday September 2nd at 6.30pm in Kenmare, County Kerry. Places are limited, RSVP to Kenmare Butter Market for a place on the guest list!

The Artists Liberation in Social & Personal by PJ Gibbons. Opening on September 2nd and curated by Claire Bunbury Creative Director at the Kenmare Butter Markets, Pigsy’s new exhibition Catharsis of Collapse announces the artist’s return to his …

“Catharsis of Collapse” in Kenmare Butter Market

PJ Gibbons of Social & Personal writes about artist PIGSY and his exhibition in his Social Networking column his this popular Irish magazine.

The Kenmare Butter Market is Kerry’s newest art space and the PIGSY exhibition will bring together over 20 large scale artworks in tactile synergy in the gallery venue.

Overtly expressionist PIGSY paintings are generally figurative forms and are hyper gestural with a graffiti-esque vibe. Along with the large scale canvas, PIGSY will present a range of framed paper studies. This is PIGSY’s first exhibition in Ireland since his return from Spain and he says he is “thrilled to be presenting my work in such a unique and beautiful space in Kenmare and I look forward to seeing the response to my art compositions that were created over the past year in Spain”..

The full range of original art, framed studies, sculptures and limited edition prints are on view in Kenmare Butter Market from Sept 2nd until Oct 2nd. Official sponsors of the PIGSY art exhibition is Torc Brewing of Killarney and opening night is Thursday 2nd of Sept at 6.30pm.

If you are in the Kenmare area of Kerry over the month of September, do drop in to the Kenmare Butter Market to see this exhibition. And if you want to get on the guest list for the opening night, drop a line to Kenmare Butter Market as places are limited and going going fast!! See you there!

Further news of The Old Knitting Factory /  by PIGSY

The Old Knitting Factory, Galway

I have written about my time visiting The Old Knitting Factory in Carraroe in a past blog and it is great to now see an article in The Irish Times about what is happening with the cottage now and how Betsy Cornwell is getting on.

Betsy-cornwall.JPG

Betsy Cornwell and The Old Knitting Factory

I really admire Betsy and the work that she is doing. The Old Knitting Factory is a remarkable place - I really enjoyed spending time on retreat in this cottage a few years ago.

You can read the full article by clicking here, enjoy the read and please do support this endeavour if you can!

The Old Knitting Factory in Carraroe on Loch an Mhuilinn has always had an art history and now Betsy Cornwell will continue the tradition while supporting single mothers who can do arts residencies in the Old Knitting factory. It’s an inspirational …

Arts and The Old Knitting Factory

The Old Knitting Factory has seen many artistic and cultural ventures and I wish Betsy the best with her plans. She is one strong and determined lady and I have full belief that she will have great success in the cottage. Good luck Betsy!

PS. Spot the PIGSY mention in the Irish Times article!

Blog Edit / Update: 2nd May 2022

You can now stay at The Old Knitting Factory, if you are looking for a night away looking out on to a beautiful lake in a quiet part of Ireland!

Painting Malaga Red! PIGSY talks Malaga to Travel Writer Kevin Flangan /  by PIGSY

Travel News with Kevin Flanagan in Ireland’s Sunday Independent

Painting Malaga Red!

I had a great chat about Malaga with Travel Writer Kevin Flanagan and was pleased to be featured in his Travel News in Ireland’s Sunday Independent

Travel Writer Kevin Flanagan talks to Irish artist PIGSY about Malaga and his Spanish artworks that he will be presenting in his new exhibition in Kenmare Butter Market in County Kerry in Ireland. I told Kevin all the reasons why I chose Malaga as a…
Irish Artist PIGSY (Ciaran McCoy) reads the newspaper on a Ranelagh street where he is featured in an article in the Sunday Independent by Travel Writer Kevin Flanagan

Malaga: Picasso, Accessibility and Pedestrianisation

Kevin was interested to hear why I chose Malaga as a destination to spend a year away from Ireland and paint full time and I told him how accessible Malaga is with flights from Dublin daily with both Aer Lingus and Ryanair. I also talked about Malaga’s art history with it being the birthplace of Picasso.

The other thing I mentioned was how easy and pleasant it is to get around Malaga due to the city being pedestrianised and having great public transport and bike lanes for cycling.

Presenting my Spanish art works in Kenmare

While in Malaga I had an exhibition in La Casa Amarilla on Calle Santos where I showed my “I Went to Mass” works. This was a volume of work that I painted in the first six months of my year in Malaga, The art work I created in the second half of the year in Spain will now be shown in my upcoming exhibition in Kenmare Butter Market in Kerry, Ireland.

Malaga will always hold a special place in my heart and I know I will get back there someday. For the moment though it is exciting to be back in Ireland and working on my next exhibition and other great projects.

Of course I am missing those Malaga blue skies!!! ;-)

“Catharsis of Collapse”

Opening Thursday 2nd of September at 6.30pm

Kenmare Butter Market, Kerry, Ireland

RSVP to kenmarebuttermarket@gmail.com

Expressionist artist PIGSY aka Ciaran McCoy presents his Spanish artwork in his new show “Catharsis of Collapse” in Kenmare Butter Market. Never seen before original art, paper studies, sculptures and prints will all be shown for the first time at t…

Custom frames for PIGSY paper studies /  by PIGSY

Custom frames for PIGSY paper studies

Lots of prep work is being done for the upcoming PIGSY art exhibition in Kenmare Butter Market. Currently the brochure for the event is being worked on. I also get to do fun stuff like specifying custom frames for all of my paper studies that I will be presenting at my next show “Catharsis of Collapse”. I have selected nine paper studies that will be displayed in a 3 x 3 formation in the exhibition.

Pictured is a framed PIGSY art paper study floated in a custom designed frame by artist Ciaran McCoy. The yellow dot indicates that it sold in PIGSY’s La Casa Amarilla Gallery exhibition “I went to mass” which opened in Malaga, Spain in March 2021

Accessible Art

PIGSY framed paper studies are accessible art works that will enhance all interiors. I first introduced my bespoke framed paper studies at my Malaga art exhibition “I Went to Mass” where they all sold out as part of that show. I consider them to be “accessible art” because of their small size - you can literally walk out of the gallery with one of these art works under your arm. You can’t get more accessible than that!

PIGSY Paper Studies in La Casa Amarilla Gallery

Pictured is one of the PIGSY paper study art works that was shown in PIGSY’s “I Went to Mass” exhibition which opened in La Casa Amarilla in Malaga, Spain in March 2021. It is marked with La Casa Amarilla’s signature yellow dot to indicate the sale! La Casa Amarilla translates as The Yellow House so the yellow dot is very apt for the gallery!

Mounted and framed

For this exhibition, I have specified a slightly different effect. The paper studies will be mounted rather than floated as I did for my Malaga show. Additionally I will also be selling some unframed studies which conveniently can be selected in the gallery and then you can then take to a framer of your choice where you can then make your own frame selection. This allows for you to choose frames that suit your particular requirements or style if you are matching PIGSY art to the interior design style in your home.

Artist PIGSY returns from Spain to present his next art show to the kingdom of Kerry. Contact Kenmare Butter Market to attend this exhibition. Located close to Sheen Falls and The Park in Kenmare, this new contemporary art space is lively addition t…

“Catharsis Collapse” by PIGSY

Kenmare Butter Market

Opening 2nd of Sept 2021

2nd of Sept - 2nd of Oct 2021

Proud to announce TORC BREWING......... /  by PIGSY

Proud to announce Torc Brewing……..

is the official sponsor of my upcoming art exhibition “Catharsis of Collapse” in Kenmare Butter Market

Torc Brewing"Catharsis of Collapse" is proudly sponsored by Torc Brewing Killarney.Torc Brewing has been brewing and delivering local craft beer to the people of Killaney since 2014. Torc was the first brewery in Killarney since Garret Gore's "Killa…

Torc Brewing Killarney

"Catharsis of Collapse" by PIGSY is proudly sponsored by Torc Brewing Killarney.

Torc Brewing has been brewing and delivering local craft beer to the people of Killarney since 2014. Torc was the first brewery in Killarney since Garret Gore's "Killarney Ale and Porter Brewery" which was located in Brewery lane in 1819. Two hundred years later, the Killarney owned brewery moves online to bring their Torc beer to Killarney town and the world.

Many thanks to Torc Brewing for their sponsorship and support of PIGSY and "Catharsis of Collapse".

“Catharsis of Collapse” by PIGSY

Kenmare Butter Market

Sept 2nd - Oct 2nd

Irish Beer Sponsor for an Irish Art Exhibition

My last exhibition was in Malaga, Spain and it was sponsored by Spanish beer company San Miguel. I thought it was pretty apt to have a Spanish beer company sponsor my Spanish exhibition.

And now for this exhibition in Ireland, I have an Irish official sponsor which again I think is really apt. I’m stoked to be sponsored by Torc Brewing, I love their beers and the bottles with their coloured labels look awesome against the backdrop of my art. I am excited to see them being served at the opening of the PIGSY exhibition on Thursday 2nd of September at 6.30pm - come along for the art and the tasty beer!

PIGSY Art Studio at White Swan /  by PIGSY

PIGSY Irish Art Studio is now open!

The PIGSY Studio and Art Showroom is located in White Swan Business Park on Greenville Avenue in Donore - now open for visitors

Artist PIGSY outside his new art studio in White Swan which he opened on his return from Spain where he was a resident artist in La Casa Amarilla Gallery in Malaga

Artist PIGSY outside his new art studio in White Swan which he opened on his return from Spain where he was a resident artist in La Casa Amarilla Gallery in Malaga

PIGSY in White Swan - Visitors Welcome!

After spending the year as a resident artist in La Casa Amarilla in Malaga, Spain PIGSY has now returned to Ireland to set up his studio in Dublin. All of the art that he created in Spain has been shipped to Ireland and is on view in the PIGSY art show room. The PIGSY studio is locate in White Swan Business Park on Greenville Avenue in Dublin 8.

Visitors to the studio welcome

Have you a bare wall in your home or office? Are you looking to inject color in your life? Do you want to spend some time talking art with PIGSY?! If the answer is yes to any of the above, call in and see him - just let him know so he can stick the kettle on!!

Drop PIGSY an email on pigsy.art@gmail.com to set up an appointment to visit now!

“Vertical Guard”

Interior designers are invited to visit the art studio of Dublin artist PIGSY who has now set up his Irish studio in Donore Avenue near the Liberties. Make a journo request to visit the newly opened art studio and feature PIGSY art in your publicati…

PIGSY is pictured in his studio with his artwork titled “Vertical Guard” (now in a private art collection in USA).

He has numerous paintings on view in his new studio in Dublin 8 - get in touch if you want to visit to see his collection.

The next PIGSY art exhibition will be in Kenmare, County Kerry in the newly opened Kenmare Butter Market.

PIGSY Art in Art Galleries worldwide

PIGSY Art is available to view in Art Galleries in Spain, USA and Ireland.

EDIT - PIGSY now in residence Ranelagh Arts Studio

PIGSY’s new studio since Autumn 2022 is now in Ranelagh Arts Centre on the main street in Ranelagh, across from the Luas Station (visitors welcome).

Save the date! PIGSY exhibition in Kenmare Butter Market, Kerry, Ireland /  by PIGSY

“Catharsis of Collapse” in Kenmare Butter Market, opening Sept 2nd 2021.

Save the date and make plans to get to Kerry in September 2021 for PIGSY’s next exhibition in the newly opened contemporary art venue “Kenmare Butter Market”!

Kenmare Butter Market Art Gallery presents artist PIGSY in September 2021. Creative Director Claire Bunberry welcomes neo-expressionist artist PIGSY aka Ciaran McCoy for his homecoming art exhibition in Kerry in Ireland. The vibrant art scene in Ken…

Ireland's newest and most exciting art space Kenmare Butter Market, Co Kerry is delighted to present a solo art exhibition by Irish artist “PIGSY” entitled "Catharsis Of Collapse”.

“Catharsis of Collapse” at Kenmare Butter Market

Opening on Thursday the 2nd September 2021 and curated by Claire Bunbury Creative Director at the Kenmare Butter Market, this exhibition announces the artist's return to his native shores after spending a year abroad in Spain.

 “Catharsis Of Collapse” is a body of work produced by “PIGSY” whilst in residence in Malaga, Spain. He explores the perils, yet the ultimate relief of delving deep into one's own psyche as a necessity to creating these hugely personal artworks. The inward looking push, to the point of "collapse" is the artist's starting point, a place that leads to a deluge of creativity and the eponymous catharsis.

 Ciarán McCoy is the artist PIGSY

“PIGSY” aka Ciarán McCoy, is a former architect, founding partner and Senior Project Designer in one of Dublin city's leading architectural firms.

"I borrow from my architectural knowledge and other life experiences to create my diverse expressionist art works and punk poetry. I paint in a neo-expressionist style. My work is figurative and hyper gestural with a grafitti-esque vibe to it. Most of my works are painted in vibrant and vivid colours - even more so since working in Spain!"

From Malaga Spain to Kerry, Ireland

“PIGSY” has previously exhibited in The KEMP Gallery in Dublin, La Casa Amarilla in Malaga, London's The Other Art Fair and has had his work shown worldwide from USA to Singapore, of this latest exhibition he says “I am thrilled to be presenting my work in such a unique and beautiful space in Kenmare and I look forward seeing the response to my artwork that was created over the past year in Spain”.

Torc Brewing Killarney sponsoring Pigsy art show in Kenmare Butter Market in Kerry in Ireland

“Catharsis of Collapse” by PIGSY 

“Catharsis Of Collapse” is open from Thursday 2nd of Sept until Saturday 2nd October 2021 at Kenmare Butter Market and is sponsored by Torc Brewing Company in Killarney.

 

Kenmare Butter Market

The Square

Kenmare

Co Kerry

V93 HT65

www.kenmarebuttermarket.org

kenmarebuttermarket@gmail.com

Enquiries: 087 4118967

Kernmare Butter Market Contemporary Art Venue in Kerry near Park Hotel run by the Brennan Brothers

“Catharsis of Collapse” Art Show by PIGSY

2nd Sept – 2nd Oct 2021

Kenmare Butter Market

Ciaran McCoy’s art is presented in Kerry, Ireland all the way from Dublin via Spain - opening September 2nd in Kenmare Butter Market in Kenmare, Kerry. Join us on the night for this special art event in Kerry. Ireland

Opening Speech by Tim Buckley

The opening speech at “Catharsis of Collapse” was made by poet Tim Buckley

An Capall Dorcha - an Irish Literary & Art Periodical /  by PIGSY

PIGSY’s “De Facto Leader” in An Capall Dorcha Literary & Art Periodical

I’m proud to announce that my artwork “De Facto Leader” has been officially selected for inclusion in the next issue of An Capall Dorcha literary and art periodical. Issue 3 (Wild) will be available in Autumn through various independent booksellers in Ireland.

An Capall Dorcha is a literary & art magazine published in Ireland that is compiled of short stories, art and poetry. It has a team of regular contributors and also accepts submissions from creatives. PIGSY is proud to announce that his painting…

An Capall Dorcha - available in independent Irish bookstores

An Capall Dorcha is a literary journal with a focus on art and the written word. It includes short stories, poetry and art created by a regular team of contributors along with submissions from other creatives. An Capall Dorcha is available from The Winding Stair Bookshop, Marrowbone Books, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop and also the giftshop in MOLI the Museum of Literature of Ireland in Dublin City on St Stephen’s Green. It’s also available in Books Upstairs which is Dublin’s oldest independent bookshop.

An Capall Dorcha - The Dark Horse

An Capall Dorcha translates from Irish to English as “The Dark Horse” and for you language buffs who are interested in the Irish language (gaeilge),” art and writing” translates to “ealaín agus litríocht” - pronounced “ah-leen ah-gus lih-tri-oct”.

Pictured below is “De Facto Leader” which will feature in An Capall Dorcha.

An Capall Dorcha, issue 3 is titled “Wild” and will launch in Autumn of 2021. Here is the list of contributors (along with PIGSY!) for the Autumn issue:

“De Facto Leader” artwork by PIGSY selected for inclusion in An Capall Dorcha, Ireland’s literary and art publication available from Independent bookstores in Ireland and also available from MOLI, Museum of Literature Ireland on Stephen’s Green. “Wi…

Cora Lenihan
Luke Fallon
S.J. Delaney
Caitríona Ní Fhaoláin
Erin McKay
PIGSY
Sarah Lundy
Avril Caprani
Dominic Mac Suibhne
Shona Woods
Meg Mulcahy
Loretta Stanley
Katie Curran
Eoin Condon
Anne Dempsey
C.J. Anderson Wu
Eilín de Paor
Lucy Holme
David Morgan O’Connor
Juliette Cottereau
Rachel Maloney
Rachel O'Regan
Jackie McGrath
Ellen O'Connor
Judy Lawler
Maria McSweeney
M.A.A.
Erin Vance
Shannon O’Reilly
Daniel Johnson
Mark Walsh
Nicola Anthony
Ciara Patricia Langan
Eileen Mills
O.A.K.
Laura Faherty
Jane Cummins

PIGSY "Homecoming" in Ireland's Homes Interiors & Living /  by PIGSY

Patrick O’Herlihy writes about PIGSY’s “Homecoming” in Ireland’s Homes Interiors & Living

After spending a year painting in Malaga, I was delighted that my homecoming to Ireland was featured in “Ireland’s Homes Interiors & Living”. Edited by Margaret Connolly, it is Ireland’s largest selling interiors magazine for 26 years.

Ciarán McCoy is an architect by day, and an artist by night, painting under his alter-ego name “PIGSY”. Ciarán quit his day job, left Dublin for Malaga and took the plunge into full-time painting. Patrick O’Herlihy caught up with him for a chat prio…

“Homecoming” - a two page spread with editorial by Patrick O’Herlihy

“PIGSY” is photographed by Pablo Asenjo in his studio in Malaga City Centre in the La Casa Amarilla Gallery. He is surrounded by his neo-expressionist artworks that he created while in Spain.

“PIGSY” is photographed by Pablo Asenjo in his studio in Malaga City Centre in the La Casa Amarilla Gallery. He is surrounded by his neo-expressionist artworks that he created while in Spain.

The featured PIGSY art work is “I’ve Given Enough” which is an enquiry into the sport of bullfighting and within the painting the bull, the main protagonist, is armed with a gun in it’s mouth in order to level an unequal scenario and to allow the bull have enough force to exert a win in what PIGSY believes is an unfair fight. He explains that comparisons can be drawn between society now being armed with a vaccine which will bring about an end to the pandemic.

The featured PIGSY art work is “I’ve Given Enough” which is an enquiry into the sport of bullfighting and within the painting the bull, the main protagonist, is armed with a gun in it’s mouth in order to level an unequal scenario and to allow the bull have enough force to exert a win in what PIGSY believes is an unfair fight. He explains that comparisons can be drawn between society now being armed with a vaccine which will bring about an end to the pandemic.

Artist PIGSY in his Spanish art studio wearing a Fontaines DC t-shirt that has the logo “Life ain’t always empty” on the front.

Malaga is such a culturally diverse city, were you able to immerse yourselves with other artists?

My gradual improvement in speaking Spanish took me out of isolation and it also created opportunities, particularly when it came to collaborating with other artists and creative people in the studio of La Casa Amarilla, Sometimes I found I was shari…

Tell us about your month-long solo art exhibition in March 2021

I created a focal point for the exhibition -what I called my “altar if art”. My painting “de-facto leader” was hung as the centrepiece of the exhibition. It was positioned on the main wall of the gallery and was set slightly proud of the backdrop ma…
The PIGSY bull painting “I’ve Given Enough” - now on display in Calle Alcazabilla in Malaga as part of the Off Yellow Summer group exhibition by La Casa Amarilla for Estival Art Festival in Malaga, supported by the City of Malaga and with sponsorshi…
All the works shown in my Malaga Art Exhibition were painted in Spain. I was very influenced and inspired by my surroundings. I also used very vibrant colors that I had never painted with before.

Were you always planning on coming back to Ireland?

It’s always hard to leave a country as beautiful as Spain. I’ll be missing the morning churros and coffee soon enough and the weather of course. But it was time. I know I will be back in Spain once travel is allowable. I plan to fly back for my next…

Do you consider the year to be a success?

Success can be defined in so many different ways. From a cultural perspective, a linguistic perspective, and perhaps the most important the perspective of the evolution of my painting, yes, it was a success. It was a very, very special for my wife E…

What’s next?

Next up is an exhibition in Kenmare, Co Kerry. It is in a space called the Kenmare Butter Market. It’s a beautiful new venue in the heart of Kenmare. I also plan to compile a book of my art studies which will be a first for me. I love firsts - they …

Featured painting “I’ve Given Enough” is available from La Casa Amarilla Gallery in Malaga - contact Gallery Director David Burbano in La Casa Amarilla here for further information.

See the PIGSY website for further press and interviews with PIGSY.

#OffYellowSummer Coverage in Spanish Press /  by PIGSY

PIGSY in #OffYellowSummer Art Exhibition in Malaga

I am very proud to be part of the #OffYellowSummer public art show as part of the Estival Art Festival in Malaga. Along with 28 other artists, my art was presented on a plinth in front of the Alcazaba Roman ruins in Malaga City. It was a crowning moment to the end of my year in Malaga as a resident artist in La Casa Amarilla Studios. The #OffYellowSummer exhibition was presented by La Casa Amarilla Gallery (curated by David Burbano and Roy Laguna) with sponsorship by San Miguel Cervezas.

#OffYellowSummer Malaga Press Coverage

Here are some of the #OffYellowSummer art articles that were printed in Spanish press.

Sur

Así es la exposición 'Off Yellow Summer' en la calle Alcazabilla en Málaga

Así es la exposición 'Off Yellow Summer' en la calle Alcazabilla en Málaga
Sur in Malaga reports on the public art exhibition Off Yellow Summer by La Casa Amarilla, supported by the Aynutamiento of Malaga and sponsored by San Miguel Cervezas
'Off Yellow Summer' exhibits works by 30 local Malaga artists in fifteen stands distributed along Calle Alcazabilla until next Monday, July 19. The exhibition is supported by Malaga City Council, through the Culture Area, and t is organized by La Ca…

La Opinión de Málaga

Arte en la calle Alcazabilla: Los artistas de aquí de mañana se ven hoy

Arte en Calle Alcazabilla ienfrente de Alcazaba en Malaga con La Casa Amarilla, David Burbano y Roy Laguna
Let art find you (in Malaga!) - Que el arte te encuentre a ti

20 Minutos

La calle alcazabilla de malaga acoge una exposicion con 30 obras de artistas de proximidad

The Councilor for Culture of the Malaga City Council, Noelia Losada, attended the opening of the 'Off Yellow Summer' art exhibition, which is on display on Calle Alcazabilla until July 19.Supported by Malaga City Council, through the Culture Area…
Que el arte te encuentre a ti - Let art find you on Calle Alcazabilla

"Estival" Contemporary Art Festival Malaga 2021 /  by PIGSY

Estival Malaga supported by San Miguel Cervezas and Malaga Ayuntamiento, 40 artists present public art work in the city and the roman ruins in public areas presented by Ateno Malaga and La Casa Amarilla Galerie with David Burbano

“Estival”

4th Contemporary Art Festival, Malaga

3 - 30 July 2021

#OffYellow Summer as part of Estival presented by La Casa Amarilla

“I’ve Given Enough” by PIGSY

See "PIGSY art in #OffYellowSummer presented by La Casa Amarilla

A PIGSY painting which features a bull armed with a gun in a Spanish bullring in order to equalise the bull fighting scenario. This Spanish themed art work is part of the Estival Malaga Contemporary art festival with prints available for purchase th…

PIGSY’s art work “I’ve Given Enough” will be on view in a public art presentation in front of the Roman theatre ruins in Malaga City at the Alcazaba, from 7th to 19th of July 2021.

Prints of “I’ve Given Enough” will be available to purchase through a scannable QR code on the art work, or contact La Casa Amarilla for further information.

The PIGSY piece featured in this exhibition is “I’ve Given Enough”

28 artists are part of Off Yellow Summer

Ania Sáenz de Buruaga

Carmen Campos

Claudia Frau

Christina Peralta

Cristina Savage

David Burbano

David Campaner

Eryk Pall

Irene Cruz

Ismael Kachtihi del Moral

Javier Roz

Yellow Summer is presented by La Casa Amarilla in association and with sponsorship by San Miguel Cervezas on the the streets of Malaga in front of the Alcazaba - 28 artists will show their works in a public art exhibition as part of Estival Contempo…

Juanjo Fuentes

La Rulla

Le Petit Kaiser

Lydia Fernández

Maite Vroom

Manu Guayre

Maria Maqueira

Marta O Nilson

Mister Kaikus

Pablo Caro Revidiego

Paco Aquilar

Philip McQueen

PIGSY

Raúl Navas

Rocío Texeira

Silvia J. Esteban

Yolanda Dorda

Supported by the City Council of Malaga through the Cultural Area

Presented by La Casa Amarilla with sponsorship by San Miguel Cervezas

PIGSY Art Abroad /  by PIGSY

PIGSY Art on the Move!

This has been a busy week with lots of art packing and arranging of shipping. I’m sending some oversize artworks to Ireland for my next show which is in a very large venue. Due to Brexit, it has proved challenging arranging the movement of these pieces. Deliveries to Ireland can no longer go through the UK as they are now classed as a third country. Along with Brexit, Covid has also caused further challenges. Normally there would be lots of trucks going between Ireland and Spain (or other mainland European countries) and so finding a spot on a van would be no trouble at all. However due to Covid there is very little movement between countries so there has been difficulties - I even found it hard to get my boxes booked on to a flight as freight due to flights being cancelled and consolidated. BUT there is light at the end of the tunnel and things are getting better - finally last week I got confirmation from a transporter that they would be able to schedule in the art for movement. So it is all good, and all go! I’ll be packing art all this week after an art photo session with a local photographer on Tuesday - all of my art created in the last few months is now being photographed and documented.

Artlife

It’s a busy time for sure and I seem to be constantly on the phone or answering emails but this suits me as I like to be constantly occupied with something…….quiet and calm doesn’t interest me.

One of the things that has kept me busy is art sales and deliveries, see below for a wrap up of some recent sales and details of new homes and locations for PIGSY art.

PIGSY in Prague

PIGSY in Prague has a nice ring to it! I can ship art anywhere in the world and was pleased when someone contacted me through instagram to arrange the transport of a PIGSY art work to them in Prague, Czech Republic. It arrived promptly to them in a few short weeks and they then dropped me a line to let me know how happy they were with their new art piece.

Pictured below is the piece when it was hanging in La Casa Amarilla above a series of skulls that are framed on a linen backing. The flower paper study that is now in Prague is a floated A4 sheet in a custom timber frame that is a bespoke frame that was fabricated here in Malaga to my specifications.

Singapore Art Sales

I was proud to take part in the Artxplor Event in Singapore for The Ireland funds. This event consisted of a group of Irish Artists and Asian Artists and one of the art pieces I submitted was auctioned with the full price being donated to The Ireland Funds in Singapore. The other two pieces were sold in the Artxplor event with a gallery showing running in Tanglin Shopping Centre for a few months. It’s exciting to know that PIGSY artworks are now gracing the walls of homes in Singapore.

Hangman Sculpture heads to a new home in Malaga

Talk about International art! Recently I sold a PIGSY sculpture that had been featured in my recent “I Went to Mass” art exhibition in La Casa Amarilla in Malaga and although it will be staying here in Malaga where it will be placed pride of place in a new home that will be occupied in September, it was actually bought by a German art collector. The stories around the collectors of my art are always interesting and it was great to meet these collectors when they visited La Casa Amarilla to collect their new piece. After they collected their artwork they went to the cafe across the street for refreshment and luckily I was passing the gallery at the same time and popped in to say hello to the Gallery Director. He immediately directed me to the cafe and I was pleased to get to chat to the collectors. Meeting new people, fans and collectors of my art is definitely one of the positives of being an artist!

Here’s pics of the “Hangman 2” sculpture that has left the gallery and gone to a its new home.

Skull bound for Torremolinos for a book publication

Linen backed paper study of a skull with three wounds framed in a thin white frame ready for hanging on the wall of a home in Torremolinos. The three scars represent the social, emotional and behavioural pains we experience in life. The collector of…

The final piece that is gone to it’s new home in recent times is this small skull paper study. This piece is titled “Skull: 3 Wounds” and the three wounds represent the Social, Emotional and Behavioral states. It is semi-autobiographical and represents psychological scars embedded in my brain. This piece is now gracing a wall of a home in Torremolinos and will also be published in a book by an author who is a now collector of PIGSY art works. The author intends to crop down the artwork to feature the skull in the book as a chapter heading.

I always like to hear a follow up about my artworks that sell and go to private collections. It is fun to receive photos from collectors showing where they hung my artworks. I am really looking forward to seeing the published book in the future with this skull artwork featured as an illustration on one of the pages. It’s things like this that make me feel happy to be an artist, creating work and collaborating with others. It adds to the human experience as human connection is so very important to us all, and never more so than this time as we come out of a period where we have had to deliberately stay physically away from each other. We need to rebuild the disconnections that have been imposed upon us in order to stop the spread of the Covid. But I truly believe that we are on the turn with the rollout and take up of vaccines - we will prevail!

Contact me if you are interested in a PIGSY piece for your home and we can discuss your interests, area it will be hung and the size of your walls. I can then recommend some pieces or of course you can choose a specific piece. With shipping available from Marbella to Missouri I can make sure you can get a delivery of art to add to your collection and fill your life with neo-expressionist color!

See details on my website of the framed Paper Studies which are very accessible and affordable - and due to their size they ship easily to worldwide destinations.

Raising Rabbits - An Uncertain Collection /  by PIGSY

Raising Rabbits - An Uncertain Collection

Rabbit proof fence - starting an archive is like raising rabbits no one is truly prepared for the numbers or the ramifications. As said by Lucy R Lippard

By Maite Vroom


At La Casa Amarilla

29th May - 24th June 2021





“Raising Rabbits” opening in La Casa Amarilla, Malaga

Great to get to to the opening of Maite Vroom’s exhibition in La Casa Amarilla. Maite’s work is incredibly detailed in both execution and thought so I was very much looking forward to seeing it. An extra dimension was that rabbit or conejo was one of the first Spanish word for animals that I learnt after cat and dog so when I heard the name of the exhibition it really resonated with me. My wife Enid, being a librarian, was fascinated by the archive connection. Here’s a few pics from my visit. It’s an excellent exhibition and I highly recommend you visit over the next few weeks.

Art with a Capital A /  by PIGSY

Art - the perfect Zoom background

The past year or so has certainly been the year of virtual meetings on Zoom. It’s been hugely beneficial to us all and it has kept things going in the business world. For many adapting to a work from home situation, small routines have helped to keep things professional while working in this new environment. Sticking to regular office hours and routines are a good plan and also wearing smart office clothes serve to delineate between work and home life.

Zoom calls have been a savior for many but there is downfalls to them too. Some people consider that Zoom calls are invasive and they don’t want to display their home setting to work colleagues. This is understandable, but it may lead to colleagues leaving their camera off which possibly diminishes the effectiveness of virtual meetings. Another alternative to this is to use a fake background or a fabricated background with the company logo and branding.

Best Zoom Background - Showstopper Art

However, in my opinion, the best background for Zoom calls is a showstopper piece of art. This allows you to both show off your personal style and taste in art and also show a bit of your personality too.

Art in the office, as well as being great for Zoom meetings, will not only make you happy and give a sense of well being, but it should also give you inspiration and ideas. When you are working on something really mundane and need to take a break, you can simply make yourself a nice cup of coffee and then take a break from the computer screen and loose yourself in your artwork. A little mini art adventure just for you in your office. Imagine how wonderful and uplifting that will feel. In fact, when you go back in to the office you will be making suggestions to management that they should put art in every office for staff.

Check out this piece of PIGSY art in an office setting - it may be the background to conference calls, but it is no shrinking violet. It’s Art with a capital A!

Library Life - Art in the Office

My wife Enid used to work in a public library that loaned out framed art prints for 3 months at a time (how great is this concept?! - see here for more of the great work that is done by Libraries in Ireland). When she was managing a small library a few years ago she worked from a lovely office with a window out on to the library floor (luckily she had a blind on the window as it faced out on to the children’s area - I think she might have found it distracting to work with children looking in on her!) and so she borrowed one of the pieces of art and then rotated in every 3 months. The first pic for her was a vintage poster advertising travel to Miami with her favorite one being a large print of a sketch of “Falling Water” by Frank Lloyd Wright - she renewed this one a few times!

PIGSY Art on Walls

I always enjoy seeing pictures of my art on walls and it was a nice surprise to hear from an art collector a few years after he acquired one of my artworks. The painting had been storage for a few years and was now hanging in pride of place in this CEO’s new office in his refurbished office building. This painting is an indicator of what type of art should be hung in the office and it is truly the best place for it. It’s a big, bold, vibrant, statement piece of art and it makes a great juxtaposition between the industrial office setting with it’s exposed ducting and rustic wood surfaces. The space for the art could not be any more perfect!

Art in your life

I’ve written before about art and interior design on my blog, and I truly believe that art adds a massive dimension to peoples lives. But in this instance as a background on conference calls, it not only enhances the life of the art collector but also enhances the life of all the attendees on the conference call!

Contact me today if you want a PIGSY painting added to your art collection for your office or home.