Jeremiah Hoad (1924 – 1999)

Gorry Gallery • Dublin 12. Self Portrait 1942

3. Cover – Celtic Landscape

JEREMIAH HOAD (1924 – 1999)

Reflections A Retrospective Exhibition

27th September – 5th October 2001 2. Towards the Blue Stacks, Co. Donegal 1997

4 4. Inver Bay, Donegal 1990

5 53. West Kerry, 1989

Introduction

t is difficult to do justice to the memory of Jeremiah Hoad. He was a truly remarkable Ispiritual painter, a complex “celtic cocktail”, deemed eccentric by many and lived a reclusive yet logical life dedicated to his work.

In discussions with me over the years he often expressed sadness, indeed anger at the treatment of this planet by some of its inhabitants.

He sometimes painted rainbows in his landscapes – traditionally seen as a symbol of hope they seemed to calm him spiritually and spur him on to paint sublimely the landscape he so loved.

6 Some remarks made by me in the introductions to his previous exhibitions are worth repeating;

“Immersing himself in the countryside, he conveys to the viewer his own very personal experience at a given time – with rainbows, ‘moonbows’, sunlight and shade, rainstorms, indeed every facet of nature carefully observed and celebrated in paint. His powerful yet sensitive expression of the phenomenon of light has a mystical, almost magical quality. The artist’s highly original painting technique, evolved over many years, with its scumbled impasto creating shimmering textured effects together with his constant search for the sublime, make his paintings somewhat unique. It seems to me that there are three distinct qualities evident in his work, each one in itself worthy of holding the viewer’s attention; a realism that make his pictures readily accessible; a technical quality – the hallmark of ‘a painters painter’, and on a different level, a spiritual awareness.”

“His paintings, with their swirling shapes and birds eye views, can disturb those unfamiliar with his work. We can vividly recall the expressions of excitement, amazement, even vertigo from the viewers in 1991. The landscapes he creates with their dramatic imagery are as always his fervent homage to the earth!”

In later life painters sometimes loose the vigour shown in their youthful work – this was certainly not the case with Jeremiah Hoad whose last painting completed shortly before his death ‘Celtic Landscape’ (catalogue no. 3) is a true ‘tour de force’.

Slán abhaile Jerry James Gorry

All of the paintings in this exhibition come from the artists studio and span his complete career.

7 8 Jeremiah, Painter-Man remembered by his wife, Judith

eremiah was a single-minded man, clear about the love and commitment we shared, about Jhis pride in his children and his tenderness for his grandchildren, but, above all in his passion for painting.

His single-mindedness brought with it the discipline of daily practice. After the domestic chores of our labour intensive life-style, he would depart for his studio, thirty yards from the house to reappear only for his meals, until 6 or 7 o'clock in the evening, six days a week.

On a couple of occasions, with a complete lack of immodesty, he outlined to me where his work was leading, how it fitted into the context of the current trends in Art and how it would one day be regarded. Many of his thoughts have proved accurate and James Gorry played a large part in bringing this about by giving Jeremiah two one-man shows, in 1991 and 1994. In his Will, Jeremiah said advice should be sought of James about the disposal of his work. Hence the current Retrospective show.

Although he was a very friendly person, Jeremiah was not a socialiser and he was dismissive of the socio-politics of the Art World, seeing it as time and energy wasted that could be better spent painting. He also did not care to talk about his work. The painting process he sometimes described as, "like a meditation, sometimes so intense that I end the day not knowing how I arrived at what is on the canvas". He also maintained that any painting that needed explaining was not well painted. Only once, in the last year of his life did he expound outside the family. This was to Manchan Magan on film shown on TnaG – footage that we showed again at the Memorial to celebrate his life.

His work has spoken to many of his love for Mother Earth - may it speak also to you.

Judith Hoad ©2001 author of This is Donegal Tweed (1987), Healing with Herbs (1996), Need or Greed (1999) and innumerable articles on hands skills, herbal medicine & alternative lifestyles, in the press and on radio & television

9 Chronology

1924 13th September, born Fife in Scotland. Father Irish, mother Anglo-Scots.

1939 Moved to England.

1941-43 Obtained a county scholarship to Winchester School of Art, where he studied for 2 years qualifying as a teacher.

1948-58 Visting lecturer to London County Council, Camberwell School of Art, teaching life drawing, composition, anatomy, perspective, plant drawing and biology. Studied painting in London, Paris and Amsterdam.

1958-67 Taught drawing and painting at the Frank Hooker Secondary Modern School, Canterbury.

1962 Married Judith Starke.

1967-81 Moved to rural Wales so that he could paint and Judith could write.

1971-76 Lluniau Cymreig Welsh Pictures - black and white line drawings, as postcards and prints. 58. The Wee House - Gweedore 1990

1981 One-man show at Oxford Playhouse Theatre. Settled in Donegal with their 3 children.

1987 Painting for cover and line drawings for This is Donegal Tweed by Judith Hoad.

10 1988 One-man show Sunningdale, Ascot.

1991 May, Exhibition of Paintings from the West of Ireland, Gorry Gallery. Featured in Hel Straeon's film The Hoad Family on St. Patrick's Day.

1993 11th June, Radio Telefis Eireann radio programme ‘Judith, Jeremiah and Jens in the Rainbow’.

1994 May, Exhibition of Earth Energies, Gorry Gallery. 23. The Fairy Tree, Inver, Donegal 1993 1994-99 Annual visits to draw and paint in the desert towns of Tozeur and Nefta and also the ancient Medina of Kairouan all in Tunisia for several months each time.

1999 Interviewed by Manchan Magan on film shown on Telefis na Gaeilge 13th September, Dies at his home after a working day, Inver, Co. Donegal on his 75th birthday. 28th October, Memorial Celebration in the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin. Works by him are in private collections in Ireland, England, Wales, France, Germany, United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Survived by his wife, Judith and their children, Esther, Tito (Titus) & Miffy (Martha) and by 12 grandchildren.

11 9. Playtime, Frank Hooker Comprehensive School, Canterbury, Kent 1959

11. Manningham Lane, Bradford c.1955

12 1. On Inish Murray 1995

35. Irish Rainbow Camp, Fintown, Donegal 1995

13 Catalogue Measurements in inches, height precedes width. GALLERY I

1. ‘On Inish Murray’, 1995 Oil on board 10 × 12 Signed. Illustrated page 13

2. ‘Towards the Blue Stacks, Co. Donegal’, 1997 Oil on board 18 × 24 Signed. Illustrated page 4

3. ‘Celtic Landscape’, 1999 Oil on board 23 × 45 Signed. Illustrated on cover 19. Self Portrait 1971

4. ‘Inver Bay, Donegal’, 1990 Oil on canvas 24 × 36 5. ‘Goats on a Cliff’, 1992 Signed. Oil on canvas 36 × 28 Signed. Illustrated page 5

6. ‘Cliff at Horn Head’, 1992 Oil on canvas 36 × 28 Signed.

7. ‘Moon Eclipse’, 1993 Oil on board 48 × 48 Signed

8. ‘Still Life, Fruit and Flowers’, 1997 1 3 Oil on board 18 ⁄2 × 23 ⁄4 Signed.

Illustrated page 19

17. Blackheath, London 1953

14 9. ‘Playtime, Frank Hooker Comprehensive School, Canterbury, Kent’, 1959 1 1 Oil on board 14 ⁄2 × 19 ⁄2 Signed.

Illustrated page 12

10. ‘Bradford, Yorkshire’, c.1955 1 1 Oil on board 16 ⁄4 × 20 ⁄4

11. ‘Manningham Lane, Bradford’, c.1955 1 Oil on board 14 ⁄2 × 16 Signed.

Illustrated page 12

12. ‘Self Portrait’, 1942 Oil on canvas 12 × 10

Illustrated inside front cover

30. In a Café, London 1949

GALLERY II

13. ‘Place Notre Dame, Paris’, c.1950 1 1 Pencil on paper 7 ⁄4 × 10 ⁄4

14. ‘Pont Neuf, Paris’, c.1950 1 1 Pencil on paper 7 ⁄4 × 10 ⁄4 27. Study of a Woman c.1961 Jeremiah Hoad lived in Paris for a year at this time.

15 15. ‘Hay Making, Hampshire’, c.1958 Watercolour on paper 7 × 11

16. ‘Landscape, Hampshire’, c.1958 Watercolour on paper 7 × 14

17. ‘Blackheath, London’, 1953 1 Watercolour on paper 9 × 11 ⁄2 Signed.

Illustrated page 14

18. ‘Muckish from Fanad’, 1993 Oil on board 36 × 48 Signed.

44. The Drummer, 1960/61

19. ‘Self Portrait’, 1971 (Not for sale) Oil on canvas 20 × 20 Signed.

Illustrated page 14

20. ‘The Fairy Tree, Inver, Donegal’, 1993 Oil on board 22 × 24 Signed.

Illustrated page 11

21. Evening Light on Cliffs, Donegal’, 1993 Oil on canvas 28 × 36 Signed.

41. Singing Rehearsal, 1960/61

16 22. ‘Winter Landscape, Cwn Twrch, Mid Wales’, 1977 31. ‘Female Nude’, 1949 Oil on canvas 36 × 20 Pen and ink on 1 Signed. paper 6 × 4 ⁄4 Signed, inscribed Camberwell and 23. ‘Above Dooagh, Achill Island’, 1993 dated 1949. Oil on canvas 28 × 36 Signed. Jeremiah was a teacher there.

24. ‘Banana Tree, The Oasis, Tozeur, Tunisia’, 1996/7 1 1 Pastel on paper 15 ⁄2 × 22 ⁄2 32. ‘Moonlight Donegal Signed. Bay’, 1988 Oil on board 6 × 9

25. ‘The Medina, Tozeur, Tunisia’, 1996/7 1 1 Pastel on paper 21 ⁄2 × 31 ⁄2 33. ‘Flowers in a Signed. Portobello Jug’, 1983 (Not for sale) Illustrated page 21 Oil on canvas 16 × 20 Signed.

26. ‘Nezi’s House, Tozeur, Tunisia’, 1996/7 1 1 Pastel on paper 15 ⁄2 × 22 ⁄2 34. ‘Old Turf Stacks, Signed. Fintown, Donegal’, 52. Nant-y-llyn from 1996 Wernfeudwy in the Oil on board 24 × 30 Snow, 1979 Signed. GALLERY III (Downstairs)

27. ‘Study of a Woman’, c.1961 Pencil on paper 6 × 6

Illustrated page 15

28. ‘Windmill, Kent’, 1965 Pencil on paper 10 × 8 Signed

29. ‘Cour Rohan, Paris’, c.1950 Pencil on paper 10 × 7

30. ‘In a Café, London’, 1949 1 Pen and ink on paper 6 ⁄2 × 4 Signed.

Illustrated page 15 56. Morning Mist, 1990

17 35. ‘Irish Rainbow Camp, Fintown, Donegal’, 1995 Oil on board 18 × 24 Signed.

Illustrated page 13

36. ‘Donegal Landscape’, 1994 Oil on board 18 × 24 Signed.

37. ‘After the Storm, Donegal’, 1999 Oil on board 24 × 48 Signed.

38. ‘Winter in Donegal’ 1996 Oil on board 18 × 24 Signed.

39. ‘Path to the Studio’, 1998 Oil on board 18 × 24 54. The Strawberry Beds at Bekesbourne, North Kent, 1957

40. ‘Sprats in a Colander’, 1990 44. ‘The Drummer’, 1960/1 Oil on canvas 16 × 20 1 Pastel on paper 12 ⁄2 × 9 Signed. Illustrated page 16 Illustrated page 22

45. ‘The Saxaphone Player’, 1960/1 41. ‘Singing Rehearsal’, 1960/1 1 3 Pastel on paper 13 ⁄4 × 6 ⁄4 Pastel on paper 14 × 11

Illustrated page 16 46. ‘The Double Bass Player’, 1960/1 1 Pastel on paper 14 ⁄2 × 6 42. ‘String Player Rehearsing’, 1960/1 × Pastel on paper 11 10 47. ‘Tony Coe on Trumpet’, 1960/1 3 1 Pastel on paper 13 ⁄4 × 7 ⁄2 43. ‘The Trombone Player’, 1960/1 × 1 Pastel on paper 13 8 ⁄4 48. ‘Study of Judith’, 1962 3 Pastel on paper 15 × 10 ⁄4

18 49. ‘Light through the Rainbow’,1989 58. ‘The Wee House – Gweedore’, 1990 Oil on canvas 28 × 36 Oil on canvas 14 × 18 Signed. Illustrated page 22 Illustrated page 10

50. ‘Judith Feeding Esther’, 1/1/63 Pencil on paper 15 × 11 59. ‘Butcher’s Shop, Llanymddyfri’, 1977 Oil on board 9 × 6 Signed. 51. ‘Baby Martha’, 13/3/71 1 3 Pencil on paper 9 ⁄2 × 9 ⁄4 60. ‘St. Dunston’s Terrace, Canterbury’, 1966 Oil on board 23 × 26 52. ‘Nant-y-llyn from Wernfeudwy in the Snow’, 1979 Signed. Oil on canvas 24 × 12 Signed. 61. ‘Town Hall, Llanymddyfri’, 1976 Illustrated page 17 Oil on board 9 × 6 Signed.

53. ‘West Kerry’, 1989 Oil on board 24 × 48

Illustrated page 6

54. ‘The Strawberry Beds at Bekesbourne, North Kent’, 1957 Oil on board 11 × 15 Signed.

Illustrated page 18

55. ‘The Fanagoed Valley, Mid Wales’, 1979 1 Oil on board 20 ⁄2 × 31 Signed.

56. ‘Morning Mist’, 1990 Oil on canvas 24 × 36 Signed.

Illustrated page 17

57. ‘Gateway, Magdalen Bridge, Oxford’ 1981 Oil on board 16 × 12 8. Still Life, Fruit and Flowers, 1997

19 The Artist working on a pastel, Tunisia

20 25. The Medina, Tozeur, Tunisia, 1996/7

21 49. Light through the Rainbow, 1989

40. Sprats in a Colander, 1990

22 The Artist in Tunisia

GORRY GALLERY LTD., 20 MOLESWORTH STREET, DUBLIN 2. TELEPHONE and FAX 6795319 The Gallery is open Monday – Friday 11.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. Saturday (during Exhibition only) 11.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. www.gorrygallery.ie Origination and Printing by Brunswick Press Ltd.