PALLISER SHOW IN GARECH’S MEMORY

A NEW exhibition at Farmleigh Gallery in the Phoenix Park is in tribute to the late Garech de Brún, who passed away in March.

‘Face to Face – Anthony Palliser’s Irish Portraits’ will bring together over 80 portraits of more than 30 Irish cultural icons, many of whom the Anglo-Belgian painter met through his friendship with de Brun, the Guinness heir who founded Claddagh Records and lived at the Luggala estate in north Wicklow.

‘I have been a regular visitor to Ireland since the early 1990s when I first met Garech Browne,’ explained Mr Palliser ahead of the exhibition. ‘It’s through my friendship with Garech and my frequent visits to Luggala that I first encountered and befriended many of my subjects featured in the exhibition.

‘It’s a great honour to bring the Irish collection together for the first time in Ireland and to do so at Farmleigh, which of course had such a personal connection for Garech and the Guinness family.’

The exhibition will be opened by Sean Rainbird, director of the National Gallery of Ireland, and will include paintings and drawings of individuals who have, over the past 50 years, contributed significantly to the development of Irish cultural life and its international reputation.

Portraits on display will include Seamus Heaney, Thomas Kinsella, Edna O’Brien, John Boorman, Colm Tóibín, Jonathan Rhys Myers, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and Brian Friel, amongst others.

Palliser’s recently-completed portrait of President Michael D Higgins will be unveiled at the opening of the exhibition.

The exhibition will be a tribute to the late Mr de Brun, who was working with the OPW to bring the exhibition to Farmleigh at the time of his passing.

A series of talks and events will take place during June and July, as well as art workshops for children and an afternoon of traditional music in honour of Garech de Brun’s huge contribution to Irish music.