New art exhibition opens in Mayo Arts Centre

Visual artists Betty Gannon and Tony Gunning are exhibiting their collaborative work of a collection of paintings titled ‘The Dichotomy of Change’. The exhibition is now open in Áras Inis Gluaire in Bellmullet and will run until Friday, October 24. 

The exhibition, which explores the natural and man-made environment, was opened by the centre’s artistic director, Deirbhile Healy. Tony Gunning’s work focuses on abandoned rural buildings, reflecting his fixation with the way in which nature reclaims spaces. Betty Gannon’s work focuses on threatened sea and land forests.

Westport resident Betty Gannon has previously exhibited solo in Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as in numerous group shows nationally and internationally. Gannon won an award at the Leitrim Sculpture Summer Exhibition in 2018. She is currently researching and creating work supported by a Sustainable Arts Bursary Award from Wilderland, a public art and community ecology project in Co Mayo.

Speaking on her newly exhibited work in Bellmullet, Gannon says: “Living in what I consider the most beautiful part of the country, close to local forestry and beaches is a huge part of my inspiration for the art. My inspiration is very local.”

As a visual artist, Gannon explained her process when drawing inspiration.

“I take photographs or do some sketches of what I see. Sometimes I bring some seaweed home. Visuals are very important to me.”

For Tony, his observation led him to a similar enlightenment. Beginning his professional artist career in 2000, Tony Gunning sold his debut exhibition at the Davis Gallery in 2002. Exhibiting well-known group shows including The Royal Academy in London, the Royal Hibernian Academy and Dublin and the Royal Ulster Academy in Belfast, the visual artist has previously won the Curator’s Award and the Bank of Ireland Emerging Artist Award at EV+A in 2007. 

Pictured: Colette and Shane Munnelly (Belmullet) with artist Tony Gunning and Sue and Gerry Whelan (Louisburgh).

Gunning’s newly exhibited work focuses on abandoned rural buildings, reflecting his fixation with the way in which nature reclaims spaces. 

“My inspiration came from the whole process of seeing the dereliction of buildings in rural Ireland. I saw the way small communities were dying because of the closures of post offices and schools.”

He explained that when he began to paint dereliction it was for its own sake.

“I was fascinated by it. I imagined its history - I thought about  the people who once lived in those places.”

Focusing on aesthetics, Gunning said that he wanted to recognise the man-made versus nature.

“Nature always reclaims its own space. Nature is not fought back.”

The exhibition will run until Friday, October 24 in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet.

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