On the TownBones, holes and other hints of mortality intrigued and moved guests at the opening of an exhibition by Charlie Whisker in Dublin's Solomon Gallery.
"It's a play between the subconscious and the conscious," said Whisker. "I never know where a painting is going. I have to arrest the canvas. You have to destroy the white - you do that by making marks, by throwing paint at it. Then I start to see the image and a story happening."
Growing up in Bangor, during the Troubles, "the 30 years of carnage is something I cannot ignore", said Whisker. The paintings "are experiences of my own", but, he added, "in that process, I believe that it's about [all of you]". The exhibition, entitled Uncertain Sins, is based on Whisker's reflections.
Bono came to the opening along with other friends of Whisker, including artist Guggi and singer/performer Gavin Friday. Artists Campbell Bruce and Jackie Stanley attended, along with artist Brian Palm and singer Mary Stokes.
"There's a story behind each one," said one friend, Esme Lewis, of Whisker's pictures. "The narrative is there."
Alan McCormack, chaplain at TCD, said his favourite painting was Hole, "particularly his use of colour and the broad sweep of orange that draws the eye to the little hole on the surface - it may well be quite existentialist. There are lots of bones like hints of mortality".
Then the poet, Gary Jermyn, reading a poem in honour of Whisker, described him as "a man of no faith but the blind faith of the artist".
Uncertain Sins, a collection of paintings by Charlie Whisker, is at the Solomon Gallery, Powerscourt Townhouse, South William Street, Dublin 2, until Wednesday, February 9th