The Eden gallery has it’s origin in a private collection spanning twenty years and born of an interest originally in some of the Northern artists whose prints were remembered from childhood – the romantic landscapes of Craig, McKelvey, Wilks and latterly McCaig Gillespie and Cecil Maguire. Other fine 20
th century Northern painters from the modernist, abstract genre, Dillon, O’Neill and Middleton, already very popular at that time were demonstrating that popularity in no uncertain terms in Gallery prices which relegated them to a wish list for another day. The great tradition of Northern Artists seems to be accelerating if anything today if the 2008 RUA exhibition at the Titanic Drawing Offices is any indicator and the energy of those promoting the Arts in
Belfast is hugely encouraging with artists like Rita Duffy determined to champion the raison d’etre of artistic endeavour today.
We chose the name
Eden for the gallery at a friend’s suggestion during a stay in Gougane Barra, a rather magical, lakeside retreat in the Derrynesaggart mountains of
West Cork. Few places could challenge the spot as a haven of reflection and peace.
Spirit Island in a lake outside Jasper in the Canadian rockies was one other place where the name
Eden seemed to knock on the door for consideration.
Contemporary Art is a buzz everywhere you turn in
Ireland- from Malin to Mizen. Talent is spilling out in
Dublin. The studios in Temple Bar are alive with enthusiasm for experimenting radically with medium and palette. I was hugely struck recently with a visit to working artists in the Monster Truck gallery. Rurally too talent is everywhere you look with fresh new work by wonderful artists likely Patsy Farr and Christine Thery in Kerry - here modern impressionism meets coastal and island life in a cascade of colour and warmth. The westcoast light is a magnet for landscape artists young and established and encountering the work of east coast artists like Bernadette Kiely and Eoin O’Connor is truely exciting.