Excerpts
from the opening speech given by
Thomas
Ryan, R.H.A., hon R.A., hon R.S.A., K.H.S.
at the opening of
Ursula Boylan O'Gara's solo exhibition in The Martello Suite, Jurys
Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin, 4, on June 7th, 2003
Tom’s
words in black print:
Tom began with general remarks about well-known artists such
as Paul Henry, purveyor of ‘The Icon’ – the popular West of Ireland scenes he
painted. He spoke of ‘the official openers’ of the past, such as the Earl of
Wicklow, who always fell asleep before the opening speeches, usually brought on
having had two good dinners (with some liquid beverage) probably in the Kildare
St. Club!
He said this trend started around the time of ‘The
Good Queen’ and spoke in depth about the late George Collie, of the Royal
Hibernian Academy, who was a close friend of his and of the Boylan family.
Words taken from the video:
An exhibition like this took some doing and it
took time as well.
But, this is a dual type
exhibition – it is a retrospective exhibition and a recent exhibition and the
two of them make for a good coverage of an active interest continued over many
years; the manifestations of which are seen here tonight.
Ursula has been a painter for a very long time,
she is a ‘good draughtsman’ and she was trained, for a while anyway, by George
Collie in his Studio in Schoolhouse Lane. George was an excellent painter and
he could paint any subject.
Tom goes on to tell more stories
connected with paintings and sketches done of young men who left Ireland to
fight in wars on the Continent, etc. Oil paintings back then were so expensive
and only the rich could afford to have their families remembered in oils. He
emphasized the point that there were no cameras in those days.
Here we have original work in a different
character and beautifully done.
It
begins with the namesake: And what name would he be, but O'GARA! The hero - and
a fine healthy looking chap he is too!
Next is that ‘pop-eyed Afghan’ Sharbat Gula who
has a
Svengali-type
look in her green eyes which has hypnotized so many people who
gazed on her photograph. She is said to have made a fortune for the
photographer who first photographed her when she was orphaned at fourteen
years. He searched for her for many years and National Geographic Magazine made
a huge story about her re-appearance last year looking so much different due to
the hardship she endured.
Ursula’s painting is an excellent remembrance of her.
It might be a bit tedious to discuss all twenty pictures, so, I will
pick out a few around the room. This fellow, ‘Masatoshi Nakayama’, one of the
‘martial arts
greats’ - is greeting the dawn, I believe. This is a very powerful picture,
showing wonderful cloud formations and excellent silhouettes against the sky
and sea. It is a very powerful painting and to view it from a distance is to
view it at it’s very best.
‘The
Irish Civil War’ is also painted beautifully and accurately. I have painted
pictures using this theme also. I note in particular, how carefully she drew and
painted the Dublin Corporation lamp standards, showing as they do, the harps and
shamrocks in perfect detail and so decorative at the time.
Ursula has also become a painter of lighthouses
– an interesting line. This
one here is a great piece of observation – ‘The Baily’ I painted The Baily
from the top of the hill but couldn’t get this
detail. This is a marvellous
aerial view of the lighthouse. It will be interesting if the Irish Lights
people purchase this one. Or perhaps, some other corporate body.
I can see this exhibition is a success
already. There are so many people here from all over Ireland and from abroad.
It is turning into a very successful social occasion also. I see people here
from Dublin 4 plus and the denizens of other surroundings. I come from Co.
Meath.
Of course, you need a little alcohol - which
helps to appreciate the higher levels of art! There is plenty of good food
and alcohol flowing here tonight!
This is a varied and very unusual collection
and a very fine exhibition – showing a remarkable talent.
Well, these pictures are the manifestation of
the talent of Ursula.
They will justify the few words I have said –
being a plausible talent and that it will be the success it deserves to be.
look in her green eyes which has hypnotized so many people who
gazed on her photograph. She is said to have made a fortune for the
photographer who first photographed her when she was orphaned at fourteen
years. He searched for her for many years and National Geographic Magazine made
a huge story about her re-appearance last year looking so much different due to
the hardship she endured.
‘martial arts
greats’ - is greeting the dawn, I believe. This is a very powerful picture,
showing wonderful cloud formations and excellent silhouettes against the sky
and sea. It is a very powerful painting and to view it from a distance is to
view it at it’s very best.
detail. This is a marvellous
aerial view of the lighthouse. It will be interesting if the Irish Lights
people purchase this one. Or perhaps, some other corporate body.