"PIÑA-TA" - Hacemos PIÑA?! /  by PIGSY

Shall we PIÑA?!

The La Casa Amrilla Christmas Expo is back, and this they are year celebrating 15 years of La Casa Amarilla.

It’s “PIÑA-TA” - the last and biggest exhibition of the year, and the last one at LCA headquarters on Calle Santos in Malaga.

Join us on the 30th of November at 20pm and celebrate #PIÑA with us. Lots of artists, lots of art and lots of fun.

Regresa la Expo de la Navidad, y este año Celebrando los 15 años de La Casa Amarilla
(Porque 15 años son Nata)

“PIÑA-TA” la última expo del año y la última en nuestra Sede de C/Santos.

Apunta el día 30 de noviembre a las 20h y celebra #PIÑA con nosotros.
Muchos artistas y mucho arte y muchas ganas de celebrar.

The details……

What: "PIÑA-TA" Christmas Exhibition

Where: La Casa Amarilla, Calle Santos, Malaga, Spain

When: 30 Nov 2023 - 5 January 2024

Artwork on show by PIGSY and other Spanish and International artists.

Visit to see the work on display for the final time in the Calle Santos location with 2024being an exciting time for La Casa Amarilla as the gallery moves to a new space in Malaga!

Cycling the City - Cuture Night in Dublin /  by PIGSY

Cycling the City: Dublin Culture Night 2023

Dublin Culture Night 2023 was an unforgettable experience, especially with its overlap with Carfree Dublin Day during European Mobility Week. It was the perfect opportunity to cycle around the city and attend various events. Here's a recap of our night cycling through Dublin’s vibrant culture!

Dinner at Capel Street - Dublin’s Newest Car-Free Street

We kicked off our evening by heading to Dublin's newest car-free street, Capel Street. Our first stop was All Bar Chicken, a casual restaurant known for its great atmosphere, delicious wings, and friendly service. With fantastic tunes in the background, we indulged in a plate of wings, a beer for me, and a glass of wine for Enid.

Car-Free Dining Experience

The dining experience on Capel Street is enhanced by the fact that it’s now a car-free zone, giving it a unique and relaxed ambiance, perfect for soaking in the city’s energy.

Collins Barracks Museum

After dinner, we hopped back on our bikes and cycled to Collins Barracks Museum, a short ride along the Luas tram tracks. We contemplated taking the tram with our bikes folded, but cycling through the city just felt more fitting for the night.

At the museum, we attended a fascinating talk titled "The Way We Wore", which explored Irish fashion from the 18th and 19th centuries. It was enlightening to learn the social history behind the beautiful garments on display.

Highlights of Collins Barracks

Collins Barracks is a treasure trove of decorative arts, including a permanent exhibit on Irish modernist designer Eileen Grey. Although we didn’t have time to explore the full museum, it’s definitely worth a return visit. Plan to spend a few hours here if you want to take in everything, from Irish coins to the Asian art collections. Plus, like most Irish museums, Collins Barracks has a wonderful café where you can enjoy lunch during your visit.

Bike Disco in the Phoenix Park

Our next stop was the lively Bike Disco in Phoenix Park. This fun-filled event, supported by Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council, featured a leisurely cycle through closed-off roads, with bikes decked out in flashing lights and music setting the tone. Families joined in the event, and the atmosphere was both festive and serene as we cycled through the park at dusk.

The beauty of Phoenix Park shone through in the twilight, and we were even lucky enough to hear the soft sounds of nature—birds chirping and the wild fallow deer rustling in the distance.

Thanks to OPW and Dublin Cycling Campaign

A special thank you goes to the OPW for opening up Phoenix Park for this event and to the Dublin Cycling Campaign for organizing such a fantastic night. It was a great example of how active travel can make a night out in Dublin even more enjoyable.

Ending the Night: Home by Bus

After cycling from the Southside to the Northside of the city, we decided to wrap up our evening. Instead of cycling all the way back, we opted for public transport. We headed to Heuston Station where we originally planned to take the Luas but found a convenient 145 bus waiting, which would drop us off close to our destination on Leeson Street.

Thanks to our foldable Brompton bikes, we could easily hop on the bus and enjoy a comfortable ride home. This flexibility is one of the many reasons why cycling and using public transport in Dublin beats driving a car, especially with the added hassle of parking.

Dublin - A City for Cyclists

The combination of cycling and public transport made our Culture Night in Dublin seamless and stress-free. Dublin is such an accessible city, and events like these remind us of how enjoyable cycling in Dublin can be. With the city's evolving infrastructure, car-free streets, and public transport options, it's clear that Dublin is becoming a more bike-friendly city.

Dislexia quando arte - Dyslexia when art /  by PIGSY

Domlexia unites dyslexic artists in exhibition showcase in Brazil

Domlexia presents an exhibition of dyslexic artists from all over the world in a showcase in Brazil and online.

The art event opens in Brazil in School in September, followed by the online exhibition in October.

What: “Ocupando o Invisível” "(Occupying the invisible)

Where: Brazil - Museu da Escola Catarinese School Florianópolis

When: 28th of September 2023

Having presented PIGSY art previously in this initiative by Domlexia, I am proud to have been selected for this year’s exhibition along with so many talented artists with dyslexia stories. These stories engage and inspire and work to end the stigma of dyslexia.

Dislexia Quando Arte

For further information you can visit the Dislexia Quando Arte Exhibition webpage

An image of Irish artist PIGSY painting

Dyslexic Artists from all over the world

Exhibition participants include artists & creatives such as Julien Villeneuve (Canada), Monica Mendes (Brazil), Wós Rodrígues (Brazil), Tom McLaughlin (United Kingdom), Tiago Campos (Brazil), Susy Rabiscart (Brazil) and Elizabeth Arifien & Charlotte Edmonds (United Kingdom). With artistic presentations in the visual arts, photography, drama and dance this is the event to go see!

Ciaran McCoy interviewed by the Dyslexia Association of Ireland /  by PIGSY

Dyslexia Association of Ireland feature

Lily O’Mahony, Communications Coordinator for Dyslexia Association of Ireland interviewed me where I got to talk about my dyslexia story. You can read the full feature on their website here.

The PIGSY dyslexia & art story inspires

It’s always great to get messages on social media about how people find inspiration through my dyslexia story. It’s one of the reasons why I do what I do:

“PIGSY” - a film about dyslexia and art

And if you want to know more about my dyslexia story you can watch the PIGSY movie by film maker Mike Andrews.

House of Hibernia takes over Gallery X with "Unframed" /  by PIGSY

“Unframed” by House of Hibernia

Week 1 of 3

The first event of a trio as part of the House of Hibernia Gallery X takeover, opened on Friday 11th of August in the setting of Hume Street in a sunny Dublin City. Curated by House of Hibernia’s Rodney Paz, it brought together some of Dublin’s hippest artists with underground musicians.

PIGSY art was on show in a specially created 100 art study pieces “wall of art”, along with paintings by artists Aga Szot & Faye Bronwyn Kinsella.

See pics below of the great opening night.

Week 2 of 3

The second part of this 3 week event takes place on Friday 18th of Aug at 6pm. For more art and music head on in to Dublin City to Gallery X - PIGSY’s wall of art will be on view with another selection of Dublin artists showcasing their creations.

An Capall Dorcha - Edition 4, Summer 2023 /  by PIGSY

An Capall Dorcha

An Capall Dorcha - Poetry, prose, photography and fine art

Ths Summer edition of An Capall Dorcha brings together a carefully curated collection of modern Irish witings and art.

Launched on Thursday 10th of August in Unit 44 in Prussia Street in Dublin 7., the event encompassed readings from the periodical, by the writers, including an Irish language reading byCaomhán Ó hÓgáin of his story as gaeilge (in Irish) “Avalon”.

Contributors

An Capall Dorcha, Issue 4 was edited by Laura Harvey-Graham with selected contributors including Philip Davison, Brad Grey, Walter Nied, Sarah Michaelides, Emer O’Hanlon, Annie MAr, Car;o Popplewell, Majed Mujed, Eilís, Joanne McCarthy, Patrick Fleming, Emma Harris, S.J.Delaney, William James Ó hÍomhair, Jane Cummins, Colm Lennon, Maureen O’Leary, Dermot O’Lynn,, Maria McSweeney, Rafael Mendes, Mairead O’Sullivan, O.A, Kolvisto, Patrica Phillips-Batoma, Finola Cahill, Aisling Jellnski, Lily Cahill, Richard O’Brien, Christopher Clery, Caoimhe Dallton, Emily Iseult Duggan, Mollie Mia Murphy and Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha.

I’m proud to be among this list of esteemed writers and artists who contributed to this edition of An Capall Dorcha (see pic below of my selected submission “Insight which can be found on page 76 of An Capall Dorcha)

“An Capall Dorcha” can be purchased from the usual stockists including Books Upstairs, National Irish Visual Arts Library, The Library Project in Temple Bar and MOLI Museum of Literature Ireland.

“Insight” by PIGSY

Mixed Media (acrylic, spray paint, oil sticks, oil, pencil & ink, found studio objects on found board)

Further info:

Editorial team comprises of Cora Lenihan, Méabh Noonan with Irish language editing by Síle Maguire Conneely along with design by Laura Harvey-Graham Ash Zul Parquear. Proof reading by Chiamake Enyi-Amadi and the cover photo is by Maria McSweeney.

House of Hibernia presents "Unframed" at Gallery X /  by PIGSY

“Unframed” presented by House of Hibernia

Where: Gallery X, Hume Street

When: 6-9pm Friday 11th of August (on view until 18th of Aug)

Who: PIGSY, Aga Szot, Faye Bronwyn Kinsella with music by Qbana and Rodney Paz

House of Hibernia, Gallery X Takeover

For the first week of their Gallery X August takeover, House of Hibernia brings together an eclectic mix of Dublin based painters. Curated based on feeling and sound complementing visuals, first and foremost, this exhibition is a brief departure from the need to find a deeper meaning.

PIGSY


Established Ranelagh based artist Pigsy will be exhibiting seen and unseen work from his “Lost” series shown briefly at the beginning of the year. ‘My art is an introspective journey, reflecting my inner thoughts, daily experiences and observations through self-portraits and semi-biographical pieces. Focusing on dichotomies such as loneliness versus the need for solitude, fame versus privacy, and fitting in versus standing out, I explore the complexities of human nature and the internal struggles we all face. My works bridge these seemingly opposing forces to find a sense of balance and harmony’.

Aga Szot


Icon Factory powerhouse Aga Szot is debuting all new work as she enters the next stage of her career. After having made such an imprint to Dublin through her charity work, curating of countless pop ups and being a part of endless group showcases throughout the years, she’s adding to her repertoire contributing three unseen pieces that display her unique eye and style of mixed media painting. 'My art is centred on my observation of human social and familial relationships and is in fact an investigation influenced by ideas from sociology, anthropology and psychology.'



Faye Bronwyn Kinsella

Faye Bronwyn Kinsella is a refreshingly young multidisciplinary artist. Incorporating nostalgia and digitally manipulating images for reference, Faye has created a  playful sandbox through her paintings. Her work falling very much in line with her personality, Faye brings an alternative approach to storytelling with an emphasis on humour.

The exhibition will be accompanied by 2 acoustic music sets by up and coming contemporary LatinX/Irish musicians Qbanaa and Rodney Paz

N Magazine: PIGSY meets Aoife Long /  by PIGSY

N Magazine, Edition no. 6, July 2023 is now out!

I’m proud to be featured in a 10 page spread in N Magazine, along with actress Aoibheann McGann, Opera Singer Susie Gibbons, Woodturner Lucinda Goulden and Costume Designer Lucy Jordan Maher.

N MAgazine is an excellent glossy art periodical featuring fantastic photos and stimulating interviews. Aoife Long of N Magazine stopped by my studio recently to visit, interview and photograph me and PIGSY artwork. It was a really enjoyable interview where I got to speak about music and literature that inspires and influences my work along with also getting to talk about my time in Spain as part of a La Casa Amarilla Art Residency. I am glad to see that photos have been included of my studio where I work as it helps show my process to N Magazine readers.

Aoife Long writes thus “Stand in front of the work of Dublin artist PIGSY and you’ll feel a sense of unease, a rising curiosity.” And it is here that the PIGSY article begins……..


Aoife’s in-depth interview of me covered varied topics and subjects. Ultimately upon reading the article, I can see how Aoife “got PIGSY” and was able to convert my ramblings in to coherent and engaging words on the page. Dipping in to topics like growing up on the Northside of Dublin, dyslexia, music, poetry and all that inspires me.

“His paintings are alive with a childlike sense of experimentation; drawing inspiration from music, poetry, photographs and videos, you’re never quite sure what’s coming next.”

Along with the PIGSY article, the magazine is packed full of chronicles on many other interesting Irish creatives - definitely worth picking up a copy!




PIGSY Art Work “I Like Toast”

Ranelagh artist PIGSY's painting "I like toast" in his Ranelagh Art Studio on main street Ranelagh near Nick's Coffee in the hub of town

“I Like Toast” is featured on the first page of the PIGSY article.

“I Like Toast” - 100cm H x 160cm W

This painting was featured in the Ranelagh Arts Festival Exhibition. It’s beautifully framed by FrameXperts with a bespoke custom frame designed by me. There is also something extra special about this piece - I have embedded augmented reality in to the art. If you want to see it, you just need to download the Artivive App and then hold your phone up to the “I like toast” image. You can then watch the artwork come alive!!



PIGSY’s Studio

Photographs of Irish artist PIGSY and his art studio in the heart of Ranelagh in Dublin 6

And there it is, in all it’s glory - the PIGSY art studio in Ranelagh. After moving studio in recent times, it is great to have a pic of this place documented in print. The current space that I am in is perfectly sized for me and is located in the heart of Ranelagh steps away from great coffee places like Nick’s Coffee.

As mentioned in the article, it is a shared space with artist Monika Crowley which is great as she is someone that I can chat with about art and what we are both working on. I always enjoy working in spaces with other creatives because working as an artist can be a very solitary profession otherwise. Other than that, I think humans are social creatures and we need to surround ourselves with others in order to live, interact, connect and create.



Stockists - where to buy N Magazine!

To purchase N Magazine, and read the full PIGSY article, the publication is available in The National Gallery of Ireland Bookstore and on the Spirit and Luxury website

You can also follow N Magazine on instagram here.

Finissage Friday: Ranelagh Arts Group Show /  by PIGSY

All good things must come to an end!

You are invited to the finissage of the Ranelagh Arts Group Show in order to close it out on Friday 9th of June.

After running from the 12th of May, the closing event is now on this Friday at 6-8pm with all of the great art on show for the final time.

PIGSY’s “I like toast” is on view with the added dimension of augmented reality - you can download the Artivive app before you visit to then view the extra dimension to this artwork.

  • Where: Ranelagh Arts Centre

  • When: Friday 9th of June 6-9pm

All Welcome - with Ranelagh Arts Centre conveniently located across from Ranelagh Arts Centre.

See you there this Friday!

Ranelagh Arts Festival 2023: Art, Theatre, Film, Music & Comedy /  by PIGSY

Ranelagh Arts Festival 2023 - opens Friday 12th of May

Ranelagh Arts Festival runs from 12th of May until the 20th of May and is offering a funfilled festival with events of all kinds to suit the whole family, in various locations in Ranelagh. From special film screenings, to comedy shows and musical events by top bands, the festival opens with an Art Exhibition on Friday 12th of May.

The Ranelagh Arts exhibition is a group show of selected artists reflecting the contemporary world. Open from Friday May 12th – Friday 9th June 2022. From 12.30 - 5.30pm daily except Mondays, in the Ranelagh Arts Centre which is located on Ranelagh Main Street across from the Luas Station.

I am pleased to announce that I am one of the selected artists featured in this exhibition and will be showing my art work “I like toast”.

Other exhibiting artists include Esther O’Kelly, Caitriona Shaffrey, David Herlihy, Iulian Bocancea, Sarah Beegan, Paul Harrison and Monika Crowley along with many more that makes up a line up of 44 artists and their works of art.

To see the full line up of events and locations (including comedy shows with Joe Rooney & Killian Sunderman and a performance by “Kila” to close out the festival), see the festival programme on the Ranelagh Arts Website.

Note that events are taking place in various locations in the Ranelagh village area including in the festival “Big Tent” in the local park, Stella Theatre in The Devlin Hotel, and also in the Arts Centre Gallery space.

Free admission to some events, with tickets available for paid events through Eventbrite.

“I like toast”

100cm H x 160cm W

I like toast! Well who doesn’t!

The image above is of my selected artwork “I like toast” which will be featured in the Ranelagh Arts Festival Exhibition. IT’s been beautifully framed by FrameXperts with a bespoke custom frame, designed by me, specifically for this piece. There is also something extra special about this piece - I have embedded augmented reality in to the art. If you want to see it, you just need to download the Artivive App and then hold your phone up to the “I like toast” image above. You can then watch the artwork come alive!!

Or you can visit the painting in the flesh at the exhibtion and use the app on the real life painting to experience the augmented reality. The opening hours are below - hope to see you there!

Ranelagh Arts Festival Exhibtion

  • Ranelagh Arts Centre (across from the Luas Station)

  • Open from Friday May 12th – Friday 9th June 2022.

    From 12.30 - 5.30pm daily except Mondays.

Guest Invigilators

There will be guest invigilators (from the selected artists) in the gallery space, for each of the days of the exhibition. I’m guest invigilating on Saturday 13th of May from 12.30pm, so pop in for a chat!

That's a Wrap! /  by PIGSY

PIGSY’s “Lost in Thought” has wrapped

After 2 weeks on view, and a chilled out finissage closing event on Friday 5th of May, the PIGSY show is now over.

It’s literally wrapped up, because all of the art was taken down off the walls, on Saturday, and wrapped up for delivery to go to their new homes. With the PIGSY artworks painted on the gallery walls getting a repaint over in white paint (after there was talk by some visitors to the show about cutting panels out of the wall in order to save the artworks!!)

Thanks to all who visited over the 2 weeks - check out some of the photos below (in no particular order).

And if you didn’t get to see the exhibition in real life, you can check out the video of the exhibition now available on Youtube.

Full report and photos of the opening night is also available on the PIGSY blog.

"Lost in Thought" - On view until May 5th /  by PIGSY

PIGSY’s Lost in Thought

We are in the final days of the “Lost in Thought” with the art exhibition open from Tuesday until Friday. Hours are 4pm to 8pm in Ranelagh Arts Gallery (Dublin 6).

Closing night consists of the finissage event which will be on from 6pm to 8pm. You are more than welcome to the closing event so come along and enjoy the art, music, chats and a glass of wine!

The video above, filmed by Shoeless Foot Productions, shows the experience of the art exhibition in case you don’t get to visit and see it in reality. However, I want as many people to experience the art as possible so if none of the opening hours suit you this week, get in contact with me, and I can open the gallery for a private visit for you.

See you this Friday in Ranelagh Arts for closing night!

PIGSY’s Lost in Thought

  • Ranelagh Arts Gallery, Dublin 6

  • Until 5th May 2023

  • Tues - Fri 4pm to 8pm

Closing Night Finissage: Friday 5th May, 6pm - 8pm

All Welcome!

PIGSY's "Lost in Thought" - Opening Night Report /  by PIGSY

Opening Night of PIGSY’s “Lost in Thought” - Friday 21st April 2023

The opening night of PIGSY’s show “Lost in Thought” was an energetic event with DJ Mo playing beats that responded to the art and the crowd. The music was pumped on to Ranelagh Main Street with the crowd spilling out from the gallery on to the road, which led to a buzzy atmosphere on the streets of Ranelagh.  Engagement with this innovative exhibition was high with attendees chatting to each other about the different layers of PIGSY work that they experienced through the Artivive app (“did you see the beating heart in that painting?”, asked one viewer), along with the music and augmented reality leading one visitor to remark that "it was the coolest thing to happen in Ranelagh"!

PIGSY’s Art Exhibition “Lost in Thought” is now open to rave reviews with a well known Irish art collector, who upon seeing the work said "I have no doubt that, right now,  PIGSY is Ireland's best colourist" while another artist said that it was “a great triumph of a show”.

Photos of Opening Night (courtesy of Will Duffy of Shoeless Foot Productions) are below, along with details of the exhibition, so you can go to the exhibition and experience the vivid colour for yourself!

Art Exhibition Information

Artist: PIGSY

Title: "Lost in Thought" 

Location: Ranelagh Arts Gallery, No. 6 Main Street Ranelagh (opposite the Luas Station)

Dates: 21st April 2023 to the 5th of May 2023 

Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 4pm to 8pm, Sat 12pm to 6pm, Sun 2pm to 6pm

Contact: info@pigsy.art   / Ph: 087 6623246, Private Viewings available on request,

“Lost in Thought” Video

You can watch the short video all about this PIGSY exhibition here

"Lost in Thought" Exhibition, now open in Ranelagh Arts Gallery /  by PIGSY

“Lost in Thought”

“Lost in Thought” the newest PIGSY show is now open for the next 2 weeks in Ranelagh Arts Gallery

Showing daily, the exhibition runs until the 5th of May 2023

Opening Hours:

  • Mon-Fri 4pm to 8pm

  • Sat 12pm to 6pm

  • Sun 2pm to 6pm

Outside of the hours, private appointments are available - contact info@pigsy.art

Ranelagh Arts Gallery

No. 6 Ranelagh

(across from Luas)

Opening Night

Opening Night was on Friday 21st of April from 6pm to 8pm. See below for a taster of the event with more photos to follow in a further blog.

Edit - Photos of PIGSY’s opening night are now available to see on the PIGSY blog.

“Lost in Thought” Exhibition Video

And to visit the exhibition virtually online - check out the video here

Filmed in Ranelagh Arts Centre in Dublin, Ireland

Canvas: "Seven Spanish Angels" by PIGSY in Void Magazine /  by PIGSY

Void Magazine PIGSY Art Feature

Void Magazine is Ireland’s foremost grassroots publication that reports on contemporary music, art and fashion. They are a magazine all about creativity and expression and they publish with the intention of encouraging an alternative so that you can “fill your void”.

I love what they are about so I was really pleased when they interviewed me for a Canvas feature.

PIGSY’s Seven Spanish Angels featured in Void Magazine

The featured artwork that was examined in depth by the Void editorial team was my large scale art work “Seven Spanish Angels”. This piece was created while I was in residency in La Casa Amarilla Galerie in Malaga, Spain and it will be going on show for the first time in Ireland in my solo show “Lost in Thought” which opens in Ranelagh Arts on Friday 21st of April for two weeks.

You can read the full Void Magazine PIGSY feature by clicking here.

“The Angels”: The Seven Spanish Artists featured

Here’s the backgound to PIGSY’s “Seven Spanish Angels”

“Seven Spanish Angels is a large-scale figurative painting that was created upon my arrival in Spain (in 2020, during the pandemic at a point where Ireland opened up and allowed travel, but very prompty locked down again…….strange times) to take up an Art Residency in La Casa Amarilla Galerie in Malaga. The painting represents a show of respect that I as an Irish artist am giving to seven of the great Spanish artists when I landed on their home soil to begin to work and create my own artworks in their homeplace.

Central in the painting and an indication of hierarchhy is “The Man P.P.”, that of course, being Pablo Picasso while the central figure, the “New Man”, alludes to myself PIGSY. The other great artists and filmmakers referenced within the painting (left to right) are Antoni Tapies, Joan Miró, Miguel Barceló, Luis Bunel, Jorge Rando and Salvador Dalí.

Can you spot these Spanish greats in the painting?!

PIGSY's "Lost in Thought" - a new dimension /  by PIGSY

PIGSY’s latest Show - opening soon in Ranelagh

Presenting “Lost in Thought”…..with an extra dimension

My newest solo exhibition “Lost in Thought” is opening shortly in Ranelagh Arts on Friday 21st of April…..but with an added dimension of Augmented Reality!

What is Augmented Reality you say.

Well, put very simply, augmented reality, is an interaction between original art and digital art. It means that I have added a digital aspect (or layers) to my artworks for viewers to enjoy and explore, which will not only delight you but will also give you further insight in to my work.

It is simple to see the additional parts to my paintings. All you need to do is download the Artivive App in the play store (it is available for both Android and iPhones) and then open the app and hold it in front of the painting and you can then watch the painting come to life!

Click here to see one of my paintings come to life in this instagram post.

Title: "Lost in Thought"

Location: Ranelagh Arts Centre, No. 6 Main Street Ranelagh (opposite the Luas Station)

Dates: 21st April 2023 to the 5th of May 2023

Opening Night: 21st April 2023, 6pm

For more on this exhibition see further blogs on my website.

Check out the PIGSY “Lost in Thought” Exhibition Video

The video of the show was filmed in Ranelagh Arts Centre a few days after the opening of the PIGSY art exhibition and is available on Youtube now. Let me know if you recognize the art gallery visitor!

Art and Apartment Living with Redfin /  by PIGSY

How to bring texture in to your apartment with Redfin Real Estate

Redfin Real Estate reached out to myself and other experts on our views about unique ways to bring texture in to apartment living. You can read some of my comments below or click here to read an article about 22 more unique ways to introduce texture in to your home, as noted by experts selected by Redfin.

"As both an artist and a former architect, I know that interior design trends come and and go, but art is always in fashion. For apartment dwellers, space can be at a premium but there are clever ways to add texture and interest to apartment living areas through the use of art. "

Texture through Rugs

One way to introduce texture is through the use of rugs. Rugs are traditionally used on floors to dampen sound or define areas, but they can also be hung on walls as art pieces to create a focal point with texture.

Some rug companies are now collaborating with artists in order to create special collections of rugs that are highly sought after, rare and valuable additions to art collections. Irish rug company "Ceadogán" produces high quality rugs, that are based on the art work of Mainie Jellett from the 1930's, with these highly desirable pieces being a spectacular addition to any apartment or home. 

Define Space with Louvres

Another current design trend that can be modified and replicated in apartments is the use of louvres in order to showcase artworks.

Currently architects and interior designers use vertical louvres to break up and define spaces in homes and buildings. While smaller area apartments don't tend to have the need for spaces to be defined, the louvres can still be added in these areas, but are used in a different way in order to give texture and further interest to a space.

The louvres can be fixed to a wall and then an art work or painting can be hung as a relief against the wood louvres giving a modern and unique feature to the home that aligns with contemporary interior design

Small Spaces, Big Art

Apartment living can sometimes mean living in smaller spaces than perhaps a house, but with clever designs apartments can be stylish homes for all at different stages in your life.

The main thing is to understand that even small spaces can accomodate features such as bold artworks and that bright paintings can make a focal point in any size space. And while perhaps selected artworks may not be as large as one would hang in a traditional house you should never shy away from vivid color as they can be a feature in all apartments and will enhance all interior design,

By painting walls the same neutral color throughout the apartment you can make your apartment feel bigger and you can then introduce color and your personality by art carefully selected by you. Introducing color through art also gives you the opportunity to experiment and try new things without being fixed to them. Artworks that you think will work in one space can be mixed up and changed to another area if you get bored looking at it in a particular area. Changing a painting on a wall after all is a lot easier than repainting your home!

So enjoy apartment living and be adventurous with interior design and adding texture to your living spaces.

"Lost in Thought" opening April 2023 in Ranelagh Arts /  by PIGSY

“Lost in Thought”

What: Solo Art Exhibition by PIGSY

Where: Ranelagh Arts Centre

No 6 Ranelagh Main Street (across from the Luas Station)

When: Friday April 21st - 5th May 2023

PIGSY’s Lost in Thought

Artist PIGSY presents his latest artworks in a new exhibition "Lost in Thought" opening on the 21st of April 2023 in Ranelagh Arts.

The exhibition will bring together works that were created recently by PIGSY and is themed around a small space with a big impression, with PIGSY describing it as "Big Ideas in a Small Space".

This series of artworks invites the viewer into the manic chaotic workings of the Dublin based artist PIGSY by vacillating between influences such Jean-Michel Basquiat’s street poetry, Cy Twombly's high-art graffiti and the naivety of Purvis Young. The playful multi-layered, deep thinking artistic storytelling expressionist style of PIGSY, that has garnered acclaim over the past decade, is fully explored in this exhibition, while unapologetically blurring the lines between outsider, street art, punk poetry and expressionist art.

With an exhibition layout that is contrary to most conventional art gallery layouts, PIGSY says that his "intent for this show is to prove to myself that the creation of the work is the most important thing. In making the art comes peace, and then how the work is shown is secondary". It for this reason that the art in this show is displayed in an unstructured space encompassing layout.

An extra dimension - augmented reality

Additionally as part of this exhibition, PIGSY invites the viewer to interact and fully investigate his energetic, spontaneous, and fast-paced creative process through augmented reality. Embedded within each artwork are subliminal messages and extracted 3D layers of art that viewers can access through the use of the Artvive app on their mobile device. "This is my first time using this exciting new technology" explaings PIGSY and "the technology facilitates me in creating new layered dimensions of art by linking my studio painted artworks with additional 3D augmentations. The additional dimensions add to the viewer experience and give new creative possibilities to expand my artistic storytelling that can be unlocked by any smartphone or tablet".

PIGSY's "Lost in Thought" runs from Friday 21st of April to 5th of May 2023 in Ranelagh Arts Centre on Ranelagh Main Street

Download the Artivive app before you visit in order to experience an additional dimension to the artworks.

Art never sleeps! What I'm working on now..... /  by PIGSY

PIGSY Art: What I’m working on right now

Welcome to Pigsy Art! In this blog, I’ll walk you through the current projects I’m working on and the exciting steps in my art curriculum. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a fan of my work, this update will give you insight into my creative process. Let’s dive into the curriculum of my latest artistic journey!

The business of Art beyond the studio

I’ve written in the past about the business of art and the work an artist does outside of the art studio. So right now I am balancing my work in the studio and a few other pieces of work that I need to do outside of the studio.Most of this work is laid out in my 5 year business plan which helps me keep on track and will ensure that I achieve all of my targets and goals. I reccomend all professional artists create a business plan, it’s something I’ve always done (as a hark back to my career in architecture) in order to focus your artistic practise and endeavours in order to ensure success and sustainability of your art career.

In this blog post, I outline just some of the projects I am working on, that is all part and parcel of being a professional artist.

PIGSY Podcast

Aswell as having my art video series, I am currently working on creating a podcast which will be broadcast weekly to discuss and address specific topics relating to Dyslexia with a focus on providing advice and skills for dyslexic creatives in order to achieve success in business and life.

The Podcast audience is (but not solely):

■ Children, Adults, Students with Dyslexia,

■ Family and friends of those with Dyslexia

■ Experts and Health Professional in the field of Dyslexia (Research and Support),

■ Creatives in the Art Business (Artists, Art Gallery Owners, Studio Managers)

■ University Staff

■ School Teachers, Educational Experts and School Boards

■ And others – all who are interested in Art

The weekly show will be presented in a relaxed, fun, positive and inspiring conversational format. A core element of The Podcast is where I will interview famous guests with dyslexia, including visual artists, sculptors, poets, writers, collectors, art dealers, gallerists and other successful people with dyslexia who work in creative fields such as architecture, sports, business, science. Stimulating interviews are achieved by means of a high quality pre-written script that is adaptive during the interview to ensure that the interviewee can share their experiences thoroughly, so the audience doesn’t feel that it is a rehearsed conversation. Through interviews with PIGSY, these established peers or people of note will share their stories, processes, knowledge, and the techniques they use to deal with dyslexia in order to achieve success in their area of business, work or dedication to the arts.

Famous people of note with dyslexia include:

Entrepreneur Richard Branson, Basketball Player Magic Johnson, Fashion Designer Tommy Hilfiger, Actor Henry Winkler, Journalist & TV Personality Anderson Cooper, Designer & Illustrator Ash Casper, Photographer Leslie Chavez, Artist Rachel Deane. Irish people of note with dyslexia include Architect and Design Legend Hugh Wallace, Musician Roisin Murphy, Actor Jane McGrath and founder of Neurodiversity Ireland Dairine Kennedy.

Success with Dyslexia

The Podcast is a tool to demonstrate what works and what doesn’t in business and the arts. Through my podcast I will impart the knowledge and the skills that I have gained through my career along with conversations with successful artists and creatives who have succeeded despite their learning disability of dyslexia. Topics such as business, marketing, social media, daily routines, setting up a studio, how to cope with dyslexic stigmas and stereotypes, fame, fans, and family will be discussed. The topics will address all aspects of the dyslexic artists' life, but the main focus of the Podcast is how to achieve success and overcome Dyslexia by using the creative process and seeing the positivity in dyslexia.

Upcoming PIGSY Art Exhibition for 2023

It’s always exciting to be working towards the next PIGSY art exhibition and I’m really happy to have my next showing in the calendar. It’s going to be “Lost in Thought” in Ranelagh Arts and it will open in April 2023.

For this exhibition, there is going to be a new dimension added to it with some of the paintings available to view through an app to give an augmented reality. It will draw viewers in to the art work and will show them more to the art in an add on 3d format. It’s a lot of fun and while not qquite virtual reality it will help the viewer engage more with the art work than done traditionally when visiting art exhibitions. Watch this space for further blogs all about this new art concept that I will be bringing to Ranelagh Arts.

PIGSY art shipment to US Art Gallery

The US Art Gallery that represents me Stateside in Florida arranged a meeting with me to discuss sending further artworks to them in Florida.

After discussions about my artworks a specific collection of paintings were selected by the gallery curator. After the selection was made, it was a case of having the art boxed and readied for shipping. Arrangements were made for a courier to collect the boxes of art here in Ireland and ship them all the way to Florida. Things have changed since Covid where I experienced difficulties with shipping taking extended periods to get art to different countries (I guess medical equipment and medicine was taking priority on plane cargo) so for this shipment the artworks got over in less than 10 days.which was great. The paintings are now hung on the wall of Effusion Art Gallery on Duval Street and I am hearing reports of big interest in them!

Pictured is “Naked Swimming” which is now available along with further selection of PIGSY artworks in Effusion Gallery.

Squash Soldiers

Exciting news on the Show Court in Fitzwilliam, after a renovation, Squash Soldiers has been rehung in a prime location. The show court has been repainted with glass walls installed on the squash court. Originally it was hung at the back of the court behind the tiered seating, however within the plans for the tennis club renovation, this wall was knocked. So while the renovations were taking place, the painting was carefully put in storage until it was ready to be hung in the court again.

And so it is now back on the wall - after a little bit of work from me in regard to the placement.

How great does it look?! It’s getting a big reaction particularly with the Irish Squash Nationals on last week, making for the club being busy with top name squash players including Ladies and Mens Senior winners Sam Buckley and Breanne Flynn and worthy opponents Sean Conroy and Ciara Doheny.

For further info and to see the background to the creation of Squash Soldiers, check out past PIGSY blogs.

PIGSY Educational Art Program

In other exciting news, through my work as an advocate for people with dyslxia, I have been contracted to present an education program through a college that offers worldwide classes through an eLearning platform. I am currently working on a syllabus which will focus on helping students with dyslexia express themselves artistically. When the syllabus is completed I will create and lead a strategically structured curriculum in the classroom which will enable students to gain and boost their confidence, Through the Program, students with dyslexia will be taught new methods of working and ultimately the skills they learn will assist them to flourish in all academic endeavors

Goal

The core aim of the Program is for PIGSY to develop new ways to support dyslexic students artistically and enable art and creative ideas to be stimulated within a wide range of dyslexic people. The Program, which will commence in 2023 in association with an Irish college and will act as a building block for a similar educational program in the US.

Education Program

The artist led classroom and eLearning based education program is designed to empower young people with dyslexia to develop their creative and artistic thinking within an infrastructure that exists i.e. schools, community centres and colleges. The Program offers art business activities to inspire young people to explore and take ownership of their creativity, viewing every young person, not as a person with a learning difficulty, but as a person with huge potential. The Program of education is specifically tailored to meet dyslexia challenges head on. The classroom and eLearning Program will be offered to students with dyslexia who are interested in working in the field of creative arts and business.

Program Curriculum:

■ Business of Art

■ Marketing (including Digital Media)

■ Social Media

■ Website Design

■ SEO

■ Google Analytics

■ Event Planning

■ Producing a podcast

■ Exhibitions

As you can imagine, this is a huge piece of work (but ultimately both enjoyable to me and so valuable to the students it will be offered to) and it has taken longer than anticipated along with delays due to covid, but ultimately it will come to fruition very shortly and will be offered to students in early 2023. Watch this space for more info!

2022, PIGSY's Year in Review /  by PIGSY

Happy New Year - here’s to 2023!

2022 was a great year for PIGSY art and I know that 2023 will be even better. Last year I wrote about the Irish tradition of opening all of the windows and doors at midnight to let the old year out. This year I thought back to my year in Spain as a resident artist in La Casa Amarilla in Malaga, where the Spanish tradition at midnight is to start eating twelve grapes (representing the twelve months) on each bell toll with each of the grapes representing a wish for the year ahead.

And so while wishes and good luck are always something we think about as the old year passes in to the new, I truly believe that hard work and good intentions bring positivity and goodness in to all our lives. So for me both personally and professionally in my art career I take the New Year as an opportunity to both look back over the past year and also set goals and intentions for the future new year.

What has now become a regular annual thing on this blog and at this time of the year, I always do a review of all that has happened with PIGSY art which helps me look back and see all that I have achieved but also helps me to formulate future goals. So in no particular order here are some of the highlights and achievements of my art life over 2022:

1. PIGSY art is represented by a second Spanish Gallery with the opening of Wish y Pop in Sevillla.

2. PIGSY is profiled as one of the "Creative bohemians" in Tony Bryant's book "A Cohort of Creative Bohemians"

3.PIGSY takes up a position as one of the selected "Artists in Residence" in Ranelagh Arts

4. PIGSY Art is selected for the Ranelagh Arts Summer Show and Cultural Natures Group Show. Being part of these group shows in my hometown was such fun and I met some really interesting artists involved in the Dublin art scene.

5. PIGSY is asked to be on the Ranelagh Arts selection committee for future group shows. headed by Ranelagh Arts Director Monika Crowley, it's an honour to be selected to be part of this committee.

6. A PIGSY "Squash Soldiers" print is commissioned by an Art Collector as a gift for their husbands birthday. I really enjoyed being part of this celebration of their special person's "big" birthday!

7. Dyslexia Canada shares the "PIGSY" film which brings it to a new wider audience. The film is about me, my life as an artist and how I work as someone with dyslexia.

8. "Gloria" by Slow Lane Gallery and Shoeless Foot Video Productions features me and my work alongside two other artists.

9. I am always happy to see PIGSY art head off to new homes all over the world, this year was no different with art sales in USA, Ireland and Spain - it's an honour for art collectors to select a PIGSY piece and to hang them in their home.

10. A PIGSY art piece now hangs in Insomnia on Baggot Street and Library St. Restaurant in Dublin - 2 high profile eateries which now showcase PIGSY art with Library St having 3 large pieces on display in their private dining room.

11. I am invited to participate in Neurodiversity Ireland’s inaugural Infinity Ball with PIGSY artwork included in the auction at the event

12. I proudly supported the Black & White Movement’s Art Event in order to raise funds for MND Ireland

13. “Art Deli” popped up in December with 6 established artists including PIGSY - accessible and affordable art was brought to Ranelagh for the holiday season

14. Created the PIGSY art video series which, with digital manager Enid Bebbington, showcased and highlighted particular PIGSY artworks

15. Selected to be a featured artist in Dialann 2023 which as a fluent Irish speaker gave me great pleasure

16. An Capail Dorcha featured a PIGSY art work in their publication

17, Selected by curator Dino Notaro of Slow Lane Gallery to be part of the “LARBI” group exhibition in Gallery X on Hume Street just off Stephens Green in Dublin City.

18. Selected to be a participating artist in “Pinazo” group show in both Malaga (La Casa Amarilla) and Seville (Wish y Pop) in Spain

19. PIGSY artwork was presented in Brazil by Domlexia as part of the “Dyslexia Quande Arte” digital exhibition which brought together the work of dyslexic artists from all over the world

20. PIGSY art is shown in Marbella, Spain in Homíes Art House in Puerto Banus

As you can see I have been involved in some really interesting art projects during 2022 but already on the cards for 2023 there are some exciting plans coming to fruition. So keep an eye on my blog for all that I get up to during the new year,.

For PIGSY art, 2023 is going to be great!