Andrew Painter ~ Finnegan’s Wake (Dublin’s Pubs Lost and Found)

at Origin Gallery from 17th March

In 2001 Andrew Painter had a sell out show in his second exhibition in Dublin at ORIGIN GALLERY then in Harcourt St. It was opened by the late Mr. Gerard Matisse, grandson of the great Henri Matisse. It was entitled “Le Vieux Pub de Dublin” (The Old Pubs of Dublin). The exhibition involved the artist (who has been compared to Toulouse-Lautrec) with the characters and ambience to be found in those Dublin watering holes which had then remained mostly untouched by the modern interior designer.

Andrew Painter, ‘Mathematician Reflecting’ Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60cm

Andrew Painter, ”Not Knowing Which Direction to look in…’ Acrylic on canvas, 61 x 50cm

Andrew Painter, ‘Coming towards him or going away from him?’

Andrew Painter, ‘In the Long Hall, Two Different Schools ‘, Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60cm

He had discovered Dublin and Ireland through learning about the Cill Rialaig Project in Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry where he had two residencies. He was back again to Kerry in August last year in the company of EL-EAGAGospel Choir from Leicester.
After re-visiting Dublin and surveying the burgeoning trade forupdated service in the Capital’s pubs he marvelled at the ‘new mix’ of young Silicon Valley / Dublin Dockland types, their wives and girlfriends happily mixing with the older characters as peopled in James Joyce’s “Finnegans Wake” .

Andrew Painter, ''All good fun...' Acrylic on canvas, 70 x 70cm — Andrew Painter, ”All good fun…’ Acrylic on canvas, 70 x 70cm

This exhibition is inspired by ‘customers’ of the Dublin pub but also of the tenacity of the publican himself and a family like the Finnegans who continue to offer the same smiling service to the new order of the day from young Mr Google, the newly aired transsexual who deliver authentic change, the fashionistas and dyed-in-the-wool politicians.

Andrew Painter, 'Dreaming Intently of a Blue Drink That Might Appear.' Acrylic on canvas, 80x80cm — Andrew Painter, ‘Dreaming Intently of a Blue Drink That Might Appear.’ Acrylic on canvas, 80x80cm

Born in Wolverhampton, England, Andrew Painter now lives and works in France, where he has French citizenship. From adolescence, his wish was to be an artist and after being encouraged by a series of teachers from junior school through to later studies, he has now realized his wish.
He is very independent – after gaining a place at Goldsmith’s College in London, he left in the first year in order to make his own “un-institutional” way.

“Despite amusing himself occasionally with installations, which he realises tongue-in-cheek, he is a real painter and draughtsman, and his paintings and drawings offer a sensitive and vibrant portrait of humanity, from his next door neighbour with the bad knee to naked sopranos and gospel singers.”

Andrew Painter, 'Four Enthusiastic Musicians', Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 80cm — Andrew Painter, ‘Four Enthusiastic Musicians’, Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 80cm

As an artist in France and exhibiting internationally, he has been known todesacralize art to make it more accessible in all senses to a wider public, creating a buzz and a very happy environment which leads to a lot of connectivity. Several well-known people have collected Andrew’s work including Annie Chaplin (daughter of Charlie Chaplin) and Noddy Holder of Slade.