Blue Book Press Releases

Artist Róisín O’Farrell’s new solo show ‘Jolie-laide’ inspired by blue book houses of Ireland.

The Park Hotel, Kenmare, Co. Kerry
July 1st – August 31st 2014
Website: www.roisinofarrell.com or www.killarneyartgallery.com
Email: declan@thekillarneyartgallery.com
Phone: 00 353 87 2767999

Jolie-laide – Quirky-Beautiful

Jolie- laide translated from the French as ugly-beautiful, or even quirky-beautiful. The idea concerns itself with beauty that exists despite, and possibly even because of, its imperfection.

Irish Artist Róisín O'Farrell's style embraces beauty in imperfection. She consciously honours the imperfect in her work, saving it from correction and allowing the work to express Jolie-laide. Beautiful and quirky.

Her work has been said to be strong, detailed, powerful and decidedly female. Although sometimes romantic in subject she favours a bold use of colour and a gutsy application of oil, which gives her work a contemporary feel.

Her vibrantly colorful paintings in textured, buttery oil feature warm, light filled period interiors, tumbled families of rain boots, and quirky china teacups.

Over the past year Róisín has visited many of Ireland's most beautiful country houses, drawn by their decadent elegance and the imperfections that come from hundreds of years of lived-in history.

This collection has been inspired, in particular, by Ireland's Blue Book country houses and features paintings from The Park in Kenmare, Marlfield House in Gorey, Moy House in Lahinch and Ballyfinn in Mountrath.

The resulting paintings are bathed in light and sumptuous colour and draw together both a sense of ease and of drama. This collection of paintings feature elegant rooms of grandeur and old backdoor boots, quiet moments of calm and the echo of family rough and tumble.

Her eagerly awaited solo show will be hosted by The Park Hotel in Kenmare, Co, Kerry from July 1st to August 31st 2014. More information from www.roisinofarrell.com or from Declan at the Killarney Art Gallery.