Opening out the Wild Watery Heart of Pigtown

By
Rose Rushe
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An exceptional painting exhibition by County Limerick artist John Collins, created in response to Mike Finn’s play ‘Pigtown’, staged by Island Theatre Company first in the summer of 1999, opened this week. Journey to Bourn Vincent gallery at the University’s Foundation Building to see the light.  22 oil on canvas/ board works are inspired by scenes and lines from the play:  “Blood flows rich and red, down the chute and into the veins of Pigtown”.

County Limerick artist John Collins created his visual response in painting to the play Pigtown by Mike Finn. Pictured at the opening in Bourne Vincent Gallery, Foundation Building, UL campus Pic. Brian Arthur/ Press 22.
County Limerick artist John Collins created his visual response in painting to the play Pigtown by Mike Finn. Pictured at the opening in Bourne Vincent Gallery, Foundation Building, UL campus
Pic. Brian Arthur/ Press 22.

 

 

 

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Collins against the triptych titled 'Makin' a musical commotion up an' down the Yella Road'. Each work is inspired by a line from the play Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22
Collins against the triptych titled ‘Makin’ a musical commotion up an’ down the Yella Road’. Each work is inspired by a line from the play
Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deirdre Gallagher and Kathleen Bartlett attended opening night on Thursday 11 at Bourn Vincent, located directly above the concert hall Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22
Deirdre Gallagher and Kathleen Bartlett attended opening night on Thursday 11 at Bourn Vincent, located directly above the concert hall
Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Shortt, Patrick Normyle, John Collins Artist and Valerie Shortt supported the show which is funded by Limerick City of Culture 2014, uniting the city's signature play with a permanent visual art response by a local professional Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22
Tom Shortt, Patrick Normyle, John Collins Artist and Valerie Shortt supported the show which is funded by Limerick City of Culture 2014, uniting the city’s signature play with a permanent visual art response by a local professional
Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional artists Gavin Hogg and Sheila Richardson turned out to support the show. Mike Finn addressed the gathering, linking scenes from the play with Collins' original vision Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22
Artists Gavin Hogg and Sheila Richardson turned out to support the show. Mike Finn addressed the gathering, linking scenes from the play with Collins’ original vision Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alison Quaid and Marie Claire Boatman viewed the 22 works, oil on canvas, under the banner of 'The Wild Watery Heart of the City' - a fragment of Pigtown's poetic prose Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22
Alison Quaid and Marie Claire Boatman viewed the 22 works, oil on canvas, under the banner of ‘The Wild Watery Heart of the City’ – a fragment of Pigtown’s poetic prose
Pic: Brian Arthur/ Press 22
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