Lithographs by Brian Maguire

 

Redbud is pleased to announce the upcoming show of the Irish artist Brian Maguire.  This is the first showing of his work in Houston since his solo exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston in 2001. The show takes its title from the portrait of the artist’s much missed friend - the late Texan artist Lucas Johnson.

 

Two of the works refer to issues around racism – Bitter Fruit and Tommy Smith and Peter Norman.  The latter work is also on show in Beijing. Three of the works deal with the issue of home. Two of these are from the homes of recent immigrants to Ireland – Yaounde, Cameroon and Tokyo, Japan.  These works are part of an ongoing commission by Wicklow County Council in Ireland and stem from the registry of the local public library in Blessington, Co. Wicklow. The third work in this group Memorial for Pablo – is drawn from the story of a young man who died while living on the street in Galway city.  This project, curated by Michael Dempsey, was to create a forum for grieving among the homeless community.  The last work in this show Irish Landscape references the hidden violence within Ireland which is now thankfully no longer current. The works in this show are lithographs created by the artist in the Paris Studio A Fleur de Pierre, and printed by Laurence Lepron and Etienne de Champfleury.

 

Brian Maguire is currently showing in the 3rd International Beijing Biennial in China.  His practice is one of engagement. Born in Dublin in 1951, he is currently a Professor of Fine Art at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. In this role he has led student participation in the World Social Forum in Kenya (2007) and Brazil (2005).  He has worked within the Criminal Justice system for over 20 years completing projects with prisoners in Ireland, Poland, USA and Brazil. In the US he also presented solo shows in New York and in Washington State.   He is represented by the Kerlin Gallery in Dublin.