Famous faces come to lifeat Laois veteran artist's striking exhibition in Bloom HQ
Artist Séamus Morton pictured with a painting he created from the memory of seeing a cottage from a car window while passing by during heavy rain Photo Stan Henderson
MOUNTRATH native Séamus Morton, who has lived at Erkina House in Rathdowney for over 25 years, launched his latest art exhibition in the Gallery of Divine Inspiration Bloom HQ in his hometown recently.
The opening night was well attended and the talented artist, who has been painting since he was 17 said that he was delighted with the turnout.
Commenting for the , Séamus said that the inspiration for many of his paintings comes from him looking out through the windows of moving cars. He then recreates those memories from the images that pop into his head. Much of his work was painted from just a passing glimpse of an old cottage or of another landscape scene that he committed to memory.
The wonderful exhibition has 20 pieces. Included is a portrait of the late Mick Lally (Miley from Glenroe) and actor Dennis Hopper, one of Hollywood’s true .
Windows also feature in Séamus’s work. Two of his captivating pieces feature people walking past large windows on dark evenings. They are painted in the style of LS Lowry.
The talented artist’s niece Donna Dempsey opened the show. She thanked everyone for coming to celebrate Séamus’s work.
Ms Dempsey said: “I also want to thank the Brigidine Sisters for their generosity in donating this wonderful convent to the community, it’s a real gem! I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the current and past management and staff at Erkina House in Rathdowney for supporting and encouraging Séamus.
“Erkina House is a true home to all who live there, and it is an invaluable and integral part of the community, supporting those in our community who need it most.” Ms Dempsey also thanked Bloom HQ, curator of the Gallery of Divine Inspiration Kevin McCann and local restaurant owner Eddie Phelan for providing refreshments.
Speaking about her uncle, Ms Dempsey said: “Seamus is a lifelong self-taught artist. From as long back as I can remember, painting has played a central part in his life. His journey as an artist began at the age of 17, drawing inspiration from the world around him and the people he met along the way.
“Over the years he has developed a remarkable and extensive body of work, including portraits, landscapes and still life. We are very fortunate to have Séamus in our lives.” Also commenting on Seamus’s paintings, artist and curator Kevin McCann said: “I have to love Séamus’s works. His style reminds me of the French artist Chaim Soutine. It’s a loose style but yet the pictures come together, especially in the portraits.
“I’d be kind of slightly envious of the looseness of Séamus’s style. Fair play to Séamus, he has a great way of capturing colours and making them work.” The exhibition remains on display until the end of October in the hub’s spacious, bright corridors. Everyone is welcome to view the works. Further information is available from Bloom HQ on 057 9300036.
