VAN’s March/April 2022 issue has a thematic focus on painting. Among specially commissioned feature articles, a series of Artist Interviews between painters at different career stages aims to generate expanded discussion on the nature of contemporary painting.
In Member Profiles, we observe the diversity of practice among VAI members, whose primary medium is painting – ranging from figurative, expressive or pastoral approaches to abstraction and hyper realism.
Reviewed in the expanded 60th special edition of the Critique section are ten recent high-profile shows, which collectively attest to the scope and ambition of current painting and exhibition-making practices.
On the Cover
Vanessa Jones, Cabbage Baby (self-portrait), 2021, oil on linen, 80 x 60 cm; image courtesy of the artist.
Column
- Alfred Wallis: In Belfast & Memory. Cornelius Brown discusses the Alfred Wallis exhibition currently showing at the MAC in Belfast.
Artist Interviews
- This Energetic Thing. Nick Miller and Salvatore of Lucan discuss the alchemy and melancholy of painting.
- Art Pervading Life Diana Copperwhite and Cecilia Danell reflect on the ways in which painting infiltrates every aspect of life.
- Paintings As Places. Selma Makela and Fionna Murray consider the idea that a painting can be a place in itself.
- Beyond Language. Sinéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Dominique Crowley reflect on the narratives of painting.
- The Impulse of the Work. Ciarán Murphy and Merlin James consider the intimacies and connections of painting.
- Surface History. Serena Caulfield and Stephen Dunne discuss their painting practices and recent working methods.
Exhibition Profile
- Beginnings. Nick Miller reflects on the life and work of Patrick Hall.
- Remembering Zagreb. James Merrigan reflects on ‘Dubliners’ at the 6th Biennial of Painting.
Critique – Special 60th Edition
- Cover Image: David Eager Maher, Hotel Regina, 2021, oil on panel; image courtesy of the artist and the Oliver Sears Gallery.
- ‘Patrick Graham: Taking Leave’, Hillsboro Fine Art
Ian Gordon, ‘The September Paintings’, RCC Letterkenny
- Nano Reid, ‘Adamantine’, Highlanes Gallery
- Mark Swords, ‘Tribuna’, RHA
- Ronnie Hughes, ‘Isobar’, The MAC
- David Eager Maher, ‘Pinked’, Oliver Sears
John Kennedy, ‘Edgelands’, South Tipperary Arts Centre
- Melissa O’Faherty, ‘Turning It Over’, RHA Ashford Gallery
- Winter Group Show, Molesworth Gallery
- Mick O’Dea, ‘West Northwest’, Molesworth Gallery
Member Profile
- Abstraction As A Felt Sensation. Sarah Wren Wilson
Not Now Death, I’m Painting. Alan Raggett
- A Gesture of Othering. Stephen Doyle
Indo-Persian Miniature. Amna Walayat
- Vibrant Matter. Natasha Pike
Embodied Movement. Joanne Boyle
- Revenants. Kevin Mooney
Transitions in Scale. Joan Sugrue
- Sian Costello: Performing Apparitions. Theo Hynan-Ratcliffe
- Embodied Knowledge. Julia Mitchell
What Makes Me A Painter. Mollie Douthit
- Great Work in Marginal Places. Michelle Boyle
Hoarder of Images. Brian Kielt
- Marriage Story. Chanelle Walshe
The Power of Things. Comhghall Casey
Career Development
- Look At Us, We’re Here. Catherine Marshall discusses the work of Pat Curran.
- One of Many. Jane Morrow interviews Jennifer Trouton at QSS, Belfast.
- Enclosed Garden. Vanessa Jones outlines the evolution of her painting practice.
- Ghosts of the Revolutionary Past. Paul Doherty, Visual Artist.
Fail Better. Cormac O’Leary, Visual Artist.
- Perseverance is Key. Kaye Maahs, Visual Artist.
Residency
- Work and Vision. Róisín O’Sullivan reports on her Tony O’Malley residency in Callan.
Member Organisation Profile
- CIAS at 60. Brenda Moore-McCann interviews Mary Pavlides, chair of the Contemporary Irish Arts Society.