Irish Myths and Legends

The stories O'Connell told are tales of magic. Crows converse with kings; a bull by day, becomes a man at night; and vice versa. Sometimes the stories are violent and bloody, sometimes plain silly, but throughout they are rich in visual imagery for the artist.

Cill Rialaig fell derelict during the famine, but in recent times six of the cottages have been renovated as a Retreat where international artists are offered living/working accommodation rent-free for a period of time, and all that is asked of them, is that they donate one piece of work on leaving.

Trevor Stubley was invited to work at the retreat in April/May 2001. It was here that 0'Connell's storytelling was first drawn to Trevor's attention. He will be working there again later this year.

The Origin Gallery in Dublin, which is run by Noelle Campbell-Sharp, founder of the Cill Rialaig Arts Project, is to host an exhibition of Trevor's new O'Connell paintings. "In the Parish of Nowhere" opens in September.