1ft sq at Hambly and Hambly Gallery

Hi Friends,
Here I am again wanting to tell you about yet another wonderful exhibition I am happy to have my work included in and a rather fun opening reception I was happy to attend.

I was very fortunate a few years ago to have an opportunity to apply to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for entry into their annual 1ft sq show, its exactly as it says on the tin, all works exhibited must adhere to the rule of these dimensions and after that, what you produce and present for selection is up to you. In the earlier days of my work, this suited me very much as I preferred to work to a smaller scale. Excitingly my work was accepted for inclusion on my first application back in 2013 and I have submitted a new work (or several indeed) every year since with the same success. The absolute joy of my inclusion to this show is in the variety and span of art and artists I become exposed to through association. I have forged friendships, learned from and admired much of what I have come in contact with, and all under the eye of Arts Officer Di Henshaw.

This year there was a change in the usual procedure, the exhibition was still a submission call, however, the venue had changed. Originally this annual exhibition (now in its 11th year) was shown at the Higher Bridges Gallery in The Clinton Centre in Enniskillen Town but for various reasons, not least I am sure to the huge growth in numbers applying and its ongoing success (over 144 works on show this year) this year the exhibition was shown and opened at the wonderful Strule Arts Centre in the Centre of Omagh. The opening reception was held at Strule on 14th December last and was opened by the Chairman of the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Howard Thornton. The show ran through the Christmas period until the 12th January 2019. The images in the slideshow above are from that very night.

Just most recently, last Friday, in fact, I found myself traveling to Enniskillen yet again as the exhibition was on the move to the most gorgeous of surroundings the wonderful Hambly and Hambly Gallery at Dunbar House. The evening was to be kicked off with the usual mingling and viewing of works with a glass in hand although this time to the very pleasant accompaniment of invited Jazz pianist Jonathan Beattie.

Later we were officially welcomed to the show by Gallerist Ciara Hambly followed by an update as to the Arts Councils services in the region by Arts Service Manager Bryony May. Hambly and Hambly and the local arts council team organise regular arts gatherings and with the dates coinciding, visitors from the Artsland International Artist in Residence Programme; Nancy L Cook and Deidre Hierhily were in attendance to tell us a little about their works (Writer and Visual Artist respectively) and experiences on these particular residencies to date.

Both informative and entertaining, Deidre Hierhily discussed with us (accompanied by projections of her work) her interest in the linoprint making process and the importance of the graphic qualities this media brings that informs itself in her work. From Canada and currently working on a 4month residency at Aughakillyaude in Fermanagh, Deidre's works included marvelous images of Geese, landscapes which are 3 meters in size in some instances and a new body of work leading on from the Geese to the wonderful Magpie!!! Its monochromatic markings lending beautifully to Deidre's love of linoprint, she had wonderful examples of this work with colourful chin-colle hung for our consideration.

Next, we heard the poignant and beautiful readings of Nancy L. Cook. Nancy from the USA is currently on residency at the An Creagan centre in Omagh, working both on her personal writings and additionally engaged in an outreach program with a local national school,. My youngest son (aged 10) attended with me and had spent quite some time chatting with Nancy earlier in the evening and by the end of the night we both decided we loved her a little...for your pleasures please read some of Nancy's marvelous work which you will find on her website linked above.

As for my own work it was beautifully exhibited in one of the many quirky rooms, delightfully it doubles up as a wine cellar - this is an interesting, beautiful gallery with great works on offer - go see.

Below are pictures from the opening at Hambly and Hambly, the exhibition runs until 9th March 2019 opening Monday - Fri 10am- 4pm and Saturday 11am-3pm.

​xx N. ​