Gaslamp set for launch of Paul Funge limited edition prints
A collection of limited edition prints by the late Paul Funge will be officially launched in the Gaslamp Gallery, Gorey, on Saturday, November 3, at 7.30 p.m.
A native of Gorey Mr Funge was a founder of the Project Arts Centre in Dublin and Gorey Arts Centre. The renowned artist was also the person behind the Gorey Arts Festival which he successfully ran for over 15 years.
He famously brought a young up-and-coming band to the closing night of the annual Funge Arts Festival in 1980; that band, then billed as ‘Ireland’s newest rock sensation’, was called U2.
Gorey was graced by the presence of many more luminary names in Irish show business as a direct result of Mr Funge including Horslips, Makem & Clancy, Niall Tobin, the Lambert Puppet Theatre, De Dannan and Planxty.
However, it was as an artist that Mr Funge came to national prominence and he was renowned for his portraits and landscapes.
He taught art in many schools and colleges and lectured at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD). His international reputation was enhanced through his work as a lecturer at the University of California and Kunsthistorisch Instituut in Amsterdam.
His portrait work included depictions of U2’s Adam Clayton, Frank McGuinness and Colm Tóibín as well as leading political figures and academics.
The collection being launched in Gorey is called ‘Resurgence’ and commenting to this newspaper Claire O’Connell, from the Gaslamp Gallery, said it came about following a request from Mr Funge’s nephew, Kieran.
He approached the gallery to see if a collection of fine art prints could be produced featuring selected works by Mr Funge.
‘It has been a truly exciting project to work on and not without its challenges as it was imperative to ensure that the reproduced colours of each print are true to the those of the original works,’ said Ms O’Connell.
Among the scenes depicted in the collection are Courtown Harbour and Inis Mor.
‘Each print is limited to 10 editions only and are true to size of the original works,’ said Ms O’Connell.
Seamus Funge will launch the collection. The Gaslamp Gallery can be contacted on 053-9480486 or through www. thegaslampgallery.com