‘Important artist’ remains in shadows

MYSTERY surrounds the identity of an artist who had 24 paintings launched at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) yesterday.

Spectacular paintings by the artist who is only known as “John the Painter”, who has been in psychiatric care in Cork city for more than 30 years, will be on public display at the museum until June 8.

The 58-year old has no formal artistic training but started painting 10 years ago and has since produced about 1,000 works.

Psychologists yesterday welcomed the IMMA’s decision to exhibit the paintings.

Art therapist and chartered psychologist Mary Cantwell said thousands of psychiatric patients nationwide enjoy art.

“This is great news because these paintings reflect this man’s essence. This art is about allowing people to express themselves without the intrusion of formal teaching,” she said.

John began painting when Sheila Holland, a nurse at Our Lady’s Hospital in Cork, invited community art group Artlink to work with patients.

The painter’s work has been widely praised by experts who have described him as a “very important artist”.

“John fuses the naive’s characteristic of reminiscence with expressionistic verve,” leading art magazine Circa said.

Although he is verbally incoherent due to heavy medication, John has worked solidly for the last 10 years on this collection of abstract paintings.

“There is incredible skill there, especially in how he uses colour, with layers to give a sense of complexity,” IMMA senior curator Catherine Marshall said.

John, who does not want to be named publicly, has also impressed other artists.

“He is proof that the tradition of painting is alive and well in Ireland, and can be discovered in unexpected places,” Ms Marshall added.

He first started painting on small pieces of paper and some of his paintings today occupy entire walls in galleries.

“This is a milestone in the Irish Art landscape. It will not change the elitist structures but it will support the claim of all those who believe in a wider picture,” artist William Frode de la Foret said.

Cork city landmarks such as St Finbarr’s Cathedral, Murphy’s Brewery and Fr Matthew’s statue feature in John’s work.