Successful bog oak and photography exhibition in nenagh

Local bog oak sculptor and photographer Andy Whelan recently held an exhibition of his marvellous work in Nenagh.
Andy's exhibition at the Abbey Court Hotel coincided with the Munster Fleadh in Nenagh. It was launched by Melanie Scott, Arts Officer with Tipperary Co Council. There were more than 70 pieces of bog oak and bog yew along with intriguing photo stills on display.
In her opening speech, Ms Scott noted that the exhibition coincided with Andy's 70th birthday. She said the exhibition celebrated a creative journey characterised by experience, knowledge and skill.
“Andy works in both two and three dimensions,” Ms Scott said. “And while the medium may be different in its presentation, there is a consistency in his artistic lines of enquiry across both his photographic and sculptural work.
“In both types of work we can see a commitment to technique and quality in process and use of materials right down to the use of high quality fine art paper for printing.”
The arts officer pointed out that many of Andy's photographs are of places that are familiar to most people in the Nenagh area. “But how many of us see them in quite the same way or realise the potential of a fleeting opportunity to produce images, which seem to capture something of eternity in a moment in time?” she asked. “This is the gift of the artist.
“Andy organises colour and light in much the same way as the painter might, giving deliberate consideration to composition, scale, subject matter and detail, or to the deliberate omission of detail. He uses colour, shape and movement, and the richness of the natural palette in a very painterly way.”
Ms Scott spoke of the great humour in Andy's work, particularly evident through the titles given to the works, which is very much a reflection of the artist himself.
“Andy takes us on a visual journey of our area through his lens and also navigates through the seasons - stopping at and revealing places such as Skehana, the bluebells in Roscrea, Christmas morning at Rathurles, taking in the Whooper Swans in Lofty Bog in Moanfin, and showing us the potential of local, wood which brings its own rich history to the work,” Ms Scott said.
“Andy’s inspiration is all around us much as it has been in the past and will continue to be for artists into the future.”
Andy's work can be viewed at his home at Moanfin, Nenagh. See also his website, andysarts.com