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George Gavan Duffy started life in Dublin in 1937, and has
since dedicated himself to art. His study and practice of
the technique of painting reminds one of the early Christian
artists whose solitary and inspired brilliance, produced
the Book of Kells and the High Crosses in Ireland. If we
study the rhythm, colour, harmony and beauty of form in
his work we will discover the principles of great art, principles
which are eternal. Mainie Jellet, who had an enormous influence
on George's work tells us that one ideal must be pre-eminent
"The filling of a given space according to it's shape,
rhythmically and harmoniously". This George has achieved
with unquestionable brilliance.
George's work, which is housed in many Irish and international
collections, follows the artistic tradition of Mainie Jellet
(1897-1944), George Russell AE (1867-1935) and more contemporarily,
Martin Finnin & Tom Byrne, artists who have all expressed
a strong spiritual dimension in their work. This spiritual
dimension is seen to great effect in the abstract landscapes
of this exhibition and in the non-representational work
based on Christian subjects treated symbolically without
realism
George is a free spirit, he travelled to Africa to spend
a weekend and stayed for fifteen years! He constantly questions
the world around him and the people in it, which influences
his work. There are times when we cannot put our thoughts
and feelings into words, George puts his on canvas. His
paintings exude a spirituality few others can capture.
George now lives and works at Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath.
His paintings are a distillation of a lifetime of work,
the world of opera, ballet & drama in Ireland, South
Africa and Namibia. These paintings are his unique response
to his vast experience.
Ted Hegarty
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