TIM Shaw is one of the UK's foremost artists. The north Belfast-born man has exhibited his work all round the world, has had residencies and fellowships in London, Greece, Spain, Ireland and Germany and is one of the youngest members of the Royal Academy of Arts.
This country's foremost artist is coming to Dublin on Wednesday November 20 to give a lunchtime lecture at Dublin City Gallery before travelling north to his home town to give an illustrated talk at the Ulster Museum on Thursday 21, a rare opportunity to meet this highly regarded sculptor and have the opportunity to hear how he determines his subjects and the deep meaning behind all he creates.
Tim discovered his love for sculpture in Enniskillen at Portora Royal school when his art teacher introduced him to clay – and, at 14, his life took on a new meaning.
Since then, he has worked in a multitude of materials including bronze, copper even black plastic.
Tim studied art at Manchester Polytechnic and Falmouth School of Art graduating with First Class Honours in Fine Art in 1989. After a spell working in Bristol as a restorer of buildings and sculpture, he devoted himself to sculpture full time and now lives on a farm near Falmouth where he has his studio.
His work has always been controversial with a political edge, including his most recent international solo exhibition, Beyond Reason, at San Diego Museum of Art which explores themes of global terrorism, freedom of speech, abuse of power and artificial intelligence.
His outstanding installation Casting a Dark Democracy, was described by the Financial Times as "the most politically charged yet poetically resonant new work on show in London. Casting A Dark Democracy is one of too few works to engage unequivocally with the reality and human cost of the Iraq war".
Mother The Air Is Blue, The Air is Dangerous highlights the horror of being caught up in a bombing in Belfast and another caused a great deal of debate and controversy, the powerful and hard-hitting Alternative Authority. This work he fashioned from accounts of tarring and feathering which took place here during the 1970s as a form of public humiliation, as Shaw notes.
"Used to enforce unofficial justice or revenge, a metaphor for severe public criticism with earliest written accounts date back to 1189. Growing up in Northern Ireland, everyone was affected by violence; we knew about knee capping, the shootings and bombings, the alternative authority. Somehow the punishment of tarring and feathering occupies a more dreadful place in the collective mind."
These lunchtime talks will be a fascinating look into the mind and talent of this highly respected sculptor. To book in Dublin and Belfast and find out about Shaw's Peer Critique in Belfast on November 22, visit Visualartists.ie/?s=tim+shaw.
:: The Wellington Boot
AN ESSENTIAL for visitors to Venice as waters rise to a 50 year high, in Australia fire surrounds Brisbane where Candy Devine contacted me to say she could smell the smoke carried by the wind. "The sky is a murky grey and there's a low lying haze. It's very still and hot, scary".
Letitia Fitzpatrick who lives near Sydney reports that the bushfires are both frightening and heartbreaking. And with what's happening in England as cold and dirty water wipes out homes, businesses and farms, it seems as though there is not much colour to look forward to in the coming months.
:: Learn to paint with Dermot Cavanagh
DERMOT is offering two three-day watercolour courses in January concentrating on flowers and fruit, all undertaken in his lovely studio in The Moy near Dungannon.
I've been to his classes and was thrilled with how he uncovered my latent talent – as a result, I began painting for myself with some success. I was a beginner mixing with proper artists but I was made welcome and encouraged and it was fun. All painting materials are provided and accommodation is available locally on request. Pre-booking is essential, price £199.
Dermot became well known when he took a number of celebrities and drew out their talent for watercolours and this they did on camera for the BBC. Despite it being 20 years ago, people still remember Gloria Hunniford and Barry McGuigan with heads down in concentration and ending up with a painting well worth framing.
Since then, Dermot has built on this success and brought art to people all over the world and now, not only is he offering classes locally but next year he's inviting people from other countries to come to Northern Ireland.
"During my painting course tours in the UK, lots of my guests say they've never been to Northern Ireland, so next year I am offering art enthusiasts the opportunity to join me on five-night painting tours to experience a taste and flavour of this unique area."
The tour includes a three-day painting course with all materials and lunch provided, two guided sightseeing tour days including a visit to the Titanic Experience. He's a one man tourist board!
"This beautiful region is a hidden gem and is now starting to get the attention it deserves," he told me.
Dermot's students will stay at The Ryandale Hotel in Moy, his home village, and all internal mini-bus transfers and excursions are included in the tour.
"Evening dinner and entertainment excursions will help our guests discover the local hospitality and culture of the region and I hope they will take this experience back home with them and spread the news of what we have to offer."
You might like to encourage friends to take up this exciting adventure. Included in the price of £659 are private internal transfers, five nights accommodation, three days painting tuition, all materials, three lunches, sightseeing excursions and a welcome drinks reception.
"Please do not hesitate to call me for more information," Dermot invites, "or to make a booking call 028 8778 4166."
