ATLANTIS TO ARCADIA
Inspired by stories of lost cities, rising seas and new dawns, this series of paintings came together in an exhibition mounted in Russborough Co Wicklow in 2010. The house itself has an extraordinary history of art. Great collections and infamous art heists.
The theme of the work was influenced by my interest in the story of Atlantis and a great wave which destroyed an ancient civilisation. The Arcadian theme reflects the idyllic setting of the 18th century house where I began to paint for the show. It very quickly changed as I painted, from images of Irish pastoral scenes to glowing oils of Egyptian and mythological ruins and pyramids. The calm beginnings of 'Et in Arcadia Ego', conceived at Russborough, suggest some change of climate approaching.
hide