It was "dubh le daoine" as the Solomon Gallery in Dublin celebrated "fiche bliain ag fβs" earlier this week. The large space on the first floor of the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre was packed. The bronze statue of a man, looking like Tomβs ╙ Criomthain, of An tOileβnach fame, greeted us at the the stairs. The eight-foot figure, by sculptor Rowan Gillespie, is the first in a set bound for Toronto as part of a famine memorial for the city. The man, with arms lifted in thanks or supplication, is called The Arrival. Watch out for another example of Gillespie's work, called Famine, a series of starving figures erected on the riverside near Dublin's Custom House some years ago.
Upstairs, the founder of the gallery, Suzanne Macdougald, greeted many painters, sculptors, friends, ambassadors and patrons to the birthday party and a celebratory group show, Fiche Bliain ag Fβs, which runs until Wednesday, October 10th. Her son, Reza Macdougald, an artist who has, he said, the smallest gallery in the George's Street Arcade, and his girlfriend, Paula Flanagan, were there too.
"You must have art on your walls," urged Norma Smurfit, who opened the exhibition. She followed her instinct when it came to art, she said, buying "when I get a funny feeling in my tummy". In fact, some of the guests did look a bit queasy.
Joe Mulholland, former RT╔ television managing director, paid a visit too. He leaves for Kosovo shortly to chair the international radio and television board which monitors broadcasting practice in the country.
The writer and broadcaster, Sam McAughtry, who has been honoured with life membership of the Irish Writers' Union, was hailed by Sheamus Smith, film censor of Ireland, as "the greatest broadcaster of all time". Many listeners to Sunday Miscellany on RT╔ Radio One would agree. Portrait artist James Hanley chatted to fellow artist Carey Clarke. Hanley's next commission is to paint the Taoiseach, as soon as Mr Ahern finds a window in his schedule. At the moment, he is so busy it looks like it's going to be a challenge to make him sit still.