Murt McGarry: An exhibition of drawings and Illustrations
![Murt McGarry: An exhibition of drawings and Illustrations | Sunday 4 August – Wednesday 14 August 2024 | Wexford Arts Centre | Image: a pair of lively illustrations; the one on the left has a traditional thatched cottage in the background, signs of a woods in winter, grassy slop, and something very odd in the foreground: a man, gripping hat, coat-tails flying, is sitting on a beast as they tear through the landscape; the beast seems to be some sort of cross between horse, sheep?, and human – the human pat being the front ‘legs’ which are in the shape of human arms and hands; the second panel on the right suggests a stormy location in wild countryside; there is a standing stone in the background, and in the foreground someone is sitting or squatting and holding up a small human figure, bare bum to the wind – the figure could be taken for a young child, but the profile we see is of someone much older Murt McGarry: An exhibition of drawings and Illustrations | Sunday 4 August – Wednesday 14 August 2024 | Wexford Arts Centre | Image: a pair of lively illustrations; the one on the left has a traditional thatched cottage in the background, signs of a woods in winter, grassy slop, and something very odd in the foreground: a man, gripping hat, coat-tails flying, is sitting on a beast as they tear through the landscape; the beast seems to be some sort of cross between horse, sheep?, and human – the human pat being the front ‘legs’ which are in the shape of human arms and hands; the second panel on the right suggests a stormy location in wild countryside; there is a standing stone in the background, and in the foreground someone is sitting or squatting and holding up a small human figure, bare bum to the wind – the figure could be taken for a young child, but the profile we see is of someone much older](https://dnote.website/wordpres2/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Murt-McGarry.jpg)
In association with Wexford County Council
Coinciding with this year’s Fleadh, Wexford Arts Centre, in partnership with Wexford County Council, is delighted to present an exhibition of work from the late artist and illustrator, Murt McGarry of Kilmore Quay. This collection of work is presented in collaboration with the McGarry family and offers some of the finest examples of the artist’s drawings and illustrations.
Murt McGarry had a deep interest in Irish history and folklore and worked on a freelance basis, supplying illustrations to the likes of Ireland’s Own magazine and producing the drawings for the Irish National Heritage Park. He cared a lot for the environment, being passionate about trees in particular, Murt was ahead of his time in terms of climate action and wholeheartedly disagreed with excessive felling of mature trees. Some of his most notable pieces are illustrations of age-old trees along with poetry in their defence. He had a love for traditional music and played the tin whistle and the bodhran. He attended each Fleadh in Ireland and would be very proud to see it come to Wexford this year. McGarry also worked on a Celtic history book, ‘Strangers at Home’ which went to the printers shortly before he died in 2006. He has been described as a gentle soul who was blessed with a poetic outlook on life. This exhibition offers an insight into the artist’s practice through a selection of drawings and illustrations.
The exhibition is supported by Wexford County Council. Wexford Arts Centre is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Wexford County Council.
Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm