A look at what is happening in the world of the arts.
Joseph Higgins, Sculptor & Painter, Cork Public Museum
Joseph Higgins has remained under the shadow of celebrated fellow Cork sculptor John Hogan for many years. This retrospective exhibition at the Public Museum brings together his work for the first time since his death 80 years ago: a venture fully justified in its ambition of asserting Higgins as a significant name among the school of Irish realists.
Although turning his hand to painting and sculpture, Higgins output was curtailed due to employment as an art teacher and his untimely death at age 40. His paintings are competent and characterised by an earthy palette and loose touch. The pairing of his own self-portrait and the painting of his son Liam are united by near identical compositions where father and son regard the viewer with a quiet, arresting regard.
Other paintings comprise mostly watercolour studies of land and sea, often featuring sensitively observed vegetation and trees. The most striking painting, though, is Corpus Christi Procession in Youghal (1916) which captures the solemnity of the event but shrouded in impressionist dappled light.
It is, however, Higgins's sculpture with his signature portrait busts featuring solemn and pensive sitters which really set him apart. Again, his connection to Youghal yielded some remarkable work. His bust of a local fisherman in Toiler of the Sea, also from 1916, is etched with strength and dignity.
In contrast to this work is the simply stunning bronze Nana or Study of an Old woman. This rendering of the artist's aunt is an object study in poise and grace which speaks volumes of an artist able to capture the spirit of his subject - a vivid modelling of human form bordering on perfection. - Mark Ewart
Runs until Dec 16
Saul Williams, Crawdaddy, Dublin
Preacher. Poet. Rapper. Actor. Writer. Whatever you do, don't try to put Saul Williams in a box. The New York spoken word artist is the antithesis of commercial hip-hop - he arrived onstage minus any bling, cartoon gangsterism and gun-toting anecdotes, but not unwilling to take a pop at the current crop of made-for-MTV emcees.
"The masters of ceremonies have forgotten they were once slaves," he told the assembled crowd, who stood transfixed throughout. "I am certain I speak a new language. I am certain this is a sign of a new age."
Williams hails from Newburgh in upstate New York. The most dangerous ghetto in America, it has the highest proportion of deaths among young black males, he says. This has left Williams with ample material to draw from and he is never afraid to address his insecurities - "I wear my loin cloth over my eyes and am certain I ejaculate too soon" - as well as passing a running social commentary.
He spoke of Ghandi and where the world is headed. He spoke of trying to bleach his skin growing up because he wished he wasn't so black. He spoke of living in a supposed democracy in America. He spoke about what divides races yet makes them the same. Mostly, he spoke of peace and love.
Poetic interludes followed each song, where Williams stood exposed and stirred up a crescendo of words until his whole body was wringing with intensity. He resembled a younger James Brown who at any moment might drop and bloody his knees. He didn't, but managed to hurt his leg while jiving. Accompanying him onstage was DJ Cx Kidtronik, whose mix of hip-hop and electro beats kept things upbeat.
Williams's lyrics were littered with double meaning and the crowd stayed mostly still to fully grasp his storm of understated speech. "She had eyes like two turntables," he told the silent and watchful audience, "Mixer in between my dreams and reality blend in ancient themes." - Ali Bracken
