art

In the summer of 2007, I took part in a group show in Paris in the Musée des Arts Decoratifs and although I missed the show, I managed to get along to see the museum, and its many and varied exhibits on another occasion. Right at the start was an exhibition of Jean Paul Gaultier’s work, including drawings, many costumes and this video collaboration between him and Regine Chopinot [link to a laughable translation of a Wikipedia page].  Called ‘Le Défile’, it had me transfixed and I must have watched it nine or ten times. I think it was produced sometime in the early nineties [not sure]. I meant to post it to my blog before and it was only a discussion with a neighbour, who’s currently studying fashion, that put it back in my mind. Anyway; enjoy.

Just the other day,  I finished this commission from Barry and Paul McNerney who jointly own and run Junior’s Bar & Deli on Bath Avenue, Ringsend [or is it Ballsbridge? It's adjacent to Beggar's Bush]. They’re now opening up a new pizza joint around the corner on the other side of Slattery’s pub [what a golden triangle it'll be]. I was given free rein to do whatever I pleased with the proviso that it should have the same ambience as a self-promotional work I did a few years ago, called ‘Coffeebot’, which you can see here.

The concept came to me quickly. Junior’s pizzas will be made in a wood-burning oven, which provided a strong central ‘character’ for this work and the literary references were included as I sketched up preparatory drawings. The final painting is acrylics on linen; oils would have been far too slow-drying to be ready in time for framing and the opening of the pizzeria.

During the project, I paused every so often to photograph the painting as it progressed and then compiled them into a movie. You can take a look at it here. I found some great jazz music by  The Incognito Traveller to accompany the film. Junior’s pizza restaurant will be opening sometime towards the end of this month. Meanwhile, you can browse around their current web site here. Bon appetit.

Acrylics on stretched linen. 35″ x 47″