The National Gallery of Ireland has had a very colourful few months. Fresh off the heels of the Emil Node: Colour is Life, comes the bright and energetic: Roderic O’Conor and the Moderns. This exhibition has been highly anticipated, being the first show in over thirty years to heavily feature the works of O’Conor. O’Conor is one of the most enigmatic Irish artists out there, yet his work is fairly underrepresented in the capital, many of the works stemming from private collections. Of course, he is not alone, with work by the legendary Van Gogh and Gauguin also on display, as well as other key figures in the Pont-Aven movement. The result is a room full to the brim of vibrant, striking, and memorable pieces.
At the heart of this exhibition is the small Breton town of Pont-Aven and its subsequent effects on artists and art lovers alike. From landscape to still lifes, and small intimate portraits, all aspects of life at Pont-Aven are brought to light. In many ways the town served as a playground for artists, a place where they could experiment with new techniques and subjects. This is particularly clear in O’Conor’s own work, his paintings show a huge range in style, from those close to the Parisian Impressionist scene, to paintings composed of a “striped” effect pioneered by himself and close friend Cuno Amiet. Each room is in fact dedicated to new approaches in his style. Stand out pieces include many of O’Conor’s colourful and otherworldly landscapes, as well as the huge Homage to Gauguin, a Last-Supper like painting dedicated to the deceased artist, a must see to any lover of Synthetism.
Although this exhibition boasts a broad range of artists with contrasting styles, they are all brought together in their expressive use of colour and appreciation for the French countryside. This common bond is enough to transport viewers into a different time and place in history entirely. Upon leaving this show many visitors, such as myself, may be inclined to look into flights to Pont-Aven.
Roderic O’Conor and the Moderns. Between Paris and Pont-Aven runs in the National Gallery from 18 July–28 October 2018.
