Sean McSweeney

Sean McSweeney's exhibition again confirms - should any confirmation still be required - the standing of one of the most significant…

Sean McSweeney's exhibition again confirms - should any confirmation still be required - the standing of one of the most significant living Irish landscape artists.

The exhibition gives an overview of the artist's current output and, as the exhibition's title Sligo Shoreline and Bogland suggests, McSweeney's subject matter continues to be the bog and shoreline of his adopted backyard in Ballyconnell, Co Sligo.

That this particular environment still holds such a fascination for the artist gives some insight into the strength and passion of his vision.

McSweeney's painting is muscular and dynamic, delivered with a spontaneity that borders on urgency yet is never uncontrolled.

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Bog pools reflecting light and the changing colours of the seasons, often set against a distant shoreline, are depicted with intense, at times luminous, colours, yet the works achieve both harmony and balance.

The artist is equally at home regardless of scale, from the large, exuberant Early Spring Pool to the small and concentrated study, Bogland Fields.

There is optimism and hope in his Spring Pool and Early Spring Pool and calm meditation in Bogland Drain, contrasting with the dramatically atmospheric Shoreline Ballyconnell.

These celebrations of landscape reflect an intense affinity with nature, they possess a sense of empathy and quiet spirituality.

Through his potent artistic vision and physical ability with paint, McSweeney continues to produce works that are compelling, eloquent and often possessed of great beauty.

Runs until September 12th