Munster Express
15th November 2002
Liam Murphy

When Martin Quigley's new exhibition opens at Joan Clancy Gallery on Friday 15th November it will be a clear case of the work in watercolour acrylic and gouache finding a responsive home in the multi-coloured fields of the Ring Gaeltacht. Called SUAIMHNEAS which I would translate as Tranquility, Quietness or Rest, it captures familiar landscapes and imagined landscape in a flurry of seasons and in many moods that has such a tranquil feel in the restful venue.

There are harbours, arbours, tidal movements, clouds enough to delight Joni Mitchell, and ploughed fields. Some have the magic of Kavanagh and are of no earthy estate. The SUMMER FIELDS in their yellow beauty have such colour and music as they sing a magical fairy airy music tune that invites you into the secret heart of his landscape.

The richness of earthy autumnal scenes is starkly contrasted with the Comeraghs in winter snow or sharp with frost. There are dark moody brooding misty blues that change before your gaze as black images threaten to poke you in the eye. RINNCE GORM /BLUE DANCE is a dance into a private landscape that has little surprises of tone and texture. ROLLING CLOUDS MIDLANDS has a stunning richness of colour where the sky is a joy --rare delight with its charming patterns to fill the heart with longing and desire. It is most beautiful.

The WINTER work has that sharp reminder of sudden chill and snow in the air as the breath thickens into memories of the bleak tranquillity of a winter walk. GLEANN NA RI has a beautiful transient translucence that does the heart good, warms the soul and surprises the eye with pinks and yellows. PLOUGHED FIELDS has the promise of earth and the promise of the artist with its rich harvest of possibility and tranquillity. This is not passive response to beauty but hard-earned satisfaction of work well done. To add to Martin Quigley's good luck the Collins Press have accepted his first novel THE RIVER GODS for publication in February 2004. This exhibition runs until 29th November. Gallery open each day from 11 - 6, except Wednesday. Go and see it in the changing landscape of Helvick as the autumn flares its last glow before winter.