M A R Y B U R K E SEMI-DETACHED REFLECTIONS Semi-Detached Reflections.

This new body of work by Mary Burke reflects the shifting contours of the artist's development. While the theme of suburban living is not altogether unexpected, the kinetic energy inherent in the reflection and the introduction of the human figure mark a new phase in the artist's progression. Certain constants remain in place: the excellent quality of the workmanship, the use of pastel on daler board, the detached mood of the subject, the soft mauves and blues of the palette constructing a duality of emotive expression, all negotiated through the twin icons of modern life, the suburban house and the car.

Mary Burke uniquely pursues an in-depth exploration of the trappings of urban living. Painters traditionally address two polarized aspects of Irish life: the elegance of Georgian or, the way of life typified by a small cottage in rural Ireland. While Robert Ballagh ostensibly portrays life in an artisan's dwelling, the main point of his narrative focuses on his personal engagement with the visual arts, rather than the reality of city life itself. The relentless momentum of the urban sprawl has made suburban living a reality for a majority of the population. Yet interestingly, while this life style has been widely expressed in In memory of my late parents Michael and Sally Burke Irish literature, it has found little or no resonance within the visual arts.

This is also true of the centrality of the car in modern life. Cars increase in numbers every year and constantly congest our road network. However, fewer and fewer of us are willing to avail of public transport. While the car has always been a key motif in Burke's oeuvre, this new collection of pastels places the vehicle centre stage, as all the work is literally reflected in the body work of the car.

Many of the universal questions in the history of art are mediated through the use of reflection. From the Renaissance forward, the convention of mirror has been employed by painters such as Jan Van Eyck to question the illusionary aspect of the craft of painting. This constructs a tension between the clarity of the image, viewed in perspective, and the modified reality inferred in the mirror image. The artist Mary Burke takes this 'play' even further by presenting her subject through the burnished surface of the car via the passenger door, wheel arch, bonnet and light cluster. Each painting captures a different angle, and shows yet another distorted view of the built environment, neatly trimmed with strips of lawn and palm tree.

Distorted reflection is one of the lingering motifs evident in the artist's work. Recent exhibition piece such as VW Reflection No. 1 (shown in The Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition, 2003) depicted a Volkswagen estate parked in a driveway with the streetscape reflected in the gleaming surface of its bodywork. Earlier paintings, such as the haunting stillness of School Reflections (exhibited in 1990), show the artist's preoccupation with the almost abstract shapes viewed in the polished surface of the floor. In an innovative development in Mary Burke's art-making practice, the current suite of paintings confronts the viewer in a challenging manner, as the artist mediates her image in reflection profile of the painter at work. The evasive nature of this subject contrasts with a second self-portrait through the body of the car itself. The use of traditional perspective is completed in the same year. This portrait within a picture is presented almost in the still life tradition. Once abandoned and we are tantalized by a distorted familiarity of a known again the artist employs the interior/exterior motif as a sharply-focused portrait of the artist drawing, is subject, expressed in a new and perplexing way. The visual situated on a window still flanked by a milk bottle and a jug containing studio equipment. The pristine fragmentation of the picture plane results in a kinetic force clarity of the garden and surrounding houses provides an almost contra jour effect as it set off the darker culminating in the disconcerting realization that this is similar to the tones of the portrait. fleeting moment one experiences a hundred times a day. Each piece explores the subject from a different viewpoint: the rear bumper, the The current suite of self-portraits date to 2003 and signals a change in Burke's art-making practice. No light cluster, the windscreen, as the artist constantly juxtaposes the longer do we see the artist posed at the easel, working directly from the subject, but instead she stands, concrete and the ephemeral. camera in hand assessing, capturing and judging images to be reworked in the studio. The starting-point of this new body of work reflects the confluence of two technologies: the still photographic images and the Traditionally, whether the subject is streetscape, landscape, or freeze-frame selection of a video shot. Therefore, it is fitting that the painter has marked the importance of interior, Mary Burke has not featured the human figure in her work. the 'view-finding' process in the manipulation of surfaces in her ever-evolving technique. This group of self- However, this most recent body of work indicates a new path in the portraits stands apart from the main thrust of the collection because although they often present in ripple artist's development as it includes no less than three self-portraits. reflection, there is a clarity and directness in their approach.

The artist usually resists inclusion of the human presence as it Self Portrait. Oil Pastel on Paper. 1982 distracts from the mood of isolation, solitude and loneliness which is While all art represents a single moment in time, there is a new immediacy about this collection of work. characteristic of her work. Yet, approximately once a decade, she The unexpected multi-layered viewpoint abandons the static, and presents a sense of movement that shyly placed herself in the picture. These self portraits build into a challenges the viewer to make sense of the rhythms of the contours. The architonic structure of the visual diary of Burke's art-making practice. streetscape takes on a new form as it writhes and twists within the reflected bodywork of the car. The fact that the artist has included her own portrait presents a personal comment on her mark-making technique. The earliest self-portrait, Night Painting, was created during the The organic nature of Mary Burke's image-making surprises and whets the appetite for future artist's college days in 1982. This oil on canvas represents a study of a developments. curtained bedroom window, radiator and chest of drawers. However, closer examination reveals a Van Gogh-like interior reflected in the Maebh O'Regan glass, showing the artist working with palette in hand in the tidy bedroom space. An oil pastel, also painted in 1982, reworks the same motif but now the image is negotiated entirely through the paneled surface of her studio window. The artist once again stands at her easel but the mixing palette central to the technique of oil painting, is Maebh O'Regan graduated from with a abandoned in favor of the pastel, and the subject is backlit, providing Bachelor of Arts degree in the History of Art and Classical a shadowed, negative-contour type reflection. Civilization. She continued her studies in the National College of Art and Design where she was awarded a Ph.D. for her thesis on the life and work of the 19th century Irish painter, Richard Nine years later, in 1991, two very different self-portraits show the Volvo 340 . Oil Pastel on Board 1991. Thomas Moynan. Maebh has been lecturing in the NCAD since artist at work. In Volvo 340, the central theme of the painting appears 2000. Her main focus of interest is practice. Self Portrait. Oil Pastel on Board. 1991 to be the monumentality of the car in the driveway of Larchfield Road. Closer examines reveals the distorted arch of an easel, echoing the front passenger headrests, and, slowly, we glimpse the shadowy VW Reflections. Oil Pastel on Board. 56 cm x 41 cm. Headlight. Oil Pastel on Board. 41 cm x 56 cm.

Golf. Oil Pastel on Board. 56 cm x 42 cm. Semidetached Portrait. Oil Pastel on Board. 56 cm x 41 cm.

Suburban Self Portrait. Oil Pastel on Board. 56 cm x 41 cm. Palm Tree. Oil Pastel on Board. 61 cm x 81 cm.

Rear Window. Oil Pastel on Board. 81 cm x 61 cm. Semidetached Reflections. Oil Pastel on Board. 56 cm x 81 cm.

Car Curves. Oil Pastel on Board. 56 cm x 41 cm. Biographical Details

Born 27.11.1959

Studied NCAD 1977-82 ( ANCAD , BA Fine Art ) LSB College, Dublin. 1998-2000 (MA Anthropology)

Solo Exhibitions Draiocht Arts Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin (2004) Domein Kastelenhof, Stekene, Belgium (1999) The Irish Institute for European Affairs, Leuven, Belgium (1999) The Irish Club of Belgium, Brussels (1998 ) Solomon Gallery, Dublin (1994 ) Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford (1992 ) Monaghan County Museum (1992 ) Solomon Gallery, Dublin (1991) West Arts Centre (1991 ) Solomon Gallery, Dublin (1988) Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick (1985 ) Lincoln Gallery, Dublin (1984 )

Selected Group Exhibitions R.H.A. Annual Exhibition (1982,83,84,85,86,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,2003,04) 50/50 Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin (2003) Royal Ulster Academy of Arts Annual Exhibition, The Ulster Museum, Belfast (1992,97,00,01,03) Figurative Art Ireland (2003) Art at the Rotunda, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. (2002) Iontas,Small Works Exhibition, Sligo Art Gallery & Touring. (1993,01) Virtual Studio, NAS event, ARTHOUSE, Dublin. (2001) Aer Rianta Gateway To Art, Dublin Airport (1988,89,90,91,93,94,95,97, 98,99,00) Day Out in Tallaght. 3 Person Exhibition, Tallaght Community Arts Centre (1999) Boyle Arts Festival (1991,95,99) Group Exhibition, Dyehouse Gallery, Waterford (1998) Oireachtas Art Exhibition (1980,82,83,84,85,86,97,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98) Group Exhibition, Cavehill Gallery, Belfast. (1997) The Art Supermarket, Brown Thomas, Dublin (1997 ) R.H.A. Banquet Exhibition, R.H.A Gallery, Dublin (1992,95,96,97 ) Group Exhibitions, Solomon Gallery, Dublin (1987,88,89,90,91,92,94,95,96 ) N.A.S. Anniversary Exhibition, R.H.A. Gallery (1993 ) Exhibition of Miniature Art, Gallery 788, Toronto (1993 ) Biennale Internationale d’Art Miniature, Salle Augustin- Chenier, Ville-Marie, Quebec (1992 ) Arnotts National Portrait Exhibition ( 1991) ART INC (Art from Corporate Collections), Guiness Hop Store, Dublin (1991) A.I.B. International Financial Services Centre, Dublin American National Miniature Show, Laramie, Wyoming, U.S.A. (1990,91 ) Airmotive Ireland Exhibition of Miniature Art, Del Bello Gallery, Toronto (1987,88,89,90,91 ) Albany Homes, Property Developers, Head Office, Dublin Claremorris Open (1981,82,83,84,91 ) The Arts Council N.A.S. Portfolio Exhibition, Irish life Centre, Dublin (1990 ) Beauchamps Solicitors, Dublin An Urban Angle, N.A.S. Touring Exhibition (1988 -90 ) Boyle Civic Collection Dialogue - Artists in Schools, Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin. (1989 ) Cantrell & Cochrane Group Ltd. Miniature Art, Marietta/ Cobb Fine Arts Center, Georgia, U.S.A. (1989 ) C.I.E. Group Show, Sue Williams Gallery, London (1988 ) Hotel Conrad, Dublin A Place of Work, N.A.S. Touring Exhibition. (1987-88 ) Arthur Cox & Co Solicitors, Dublin E.V.A Exhibition of Visual Art, Limerick (1984,88 ) Government Buildings Limerick Contemporary Art Society Collection Touring Exhibition (1987 ) Good & Murray, Smith & Co Solicitiors, Dubiln Four Views, N.A.S. Touring Exhibition (1986-87 ) I.P.F.P.U.T. S.A.D.E. Sculpture & Drawing Exhibition, Crawford Gallery, Cork (1982,87 ) Irish Intercontinental Bank, Dublin N.C.A.D. Decade Show, Guinness Hop Store, Dublin (1986 ) Limerick Contemporary Arts Society The School Show, Arts Council Touring Exhibition (1986 ) Monaghan County Museum Edinburgh Arts Festival Exhibition (1985 ) Office of Public Works G.P.A. Awards Exhibition for Emerging Artists (1983 ) Showerings (Ireland ) Ltd Independent Artists, Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin (1980, 82 ) South Dublin County Council St Brendans Community School, Birr Residences Telecom Eireann Artists Residency, Banff Centre for the Arts, Alberta, Canada (1996) Ulster Bank Centre, Dublin Artists Residency, Vermont Studio Centre, U.S.A. (1993 ) Ulster Breweries, Belfast

Awards Bibliography Golden Fleece Award ( 2003 ) “Semidetached Reflections”. Catalogue Introduction. Maebh O’Regan. 2004 Arts Council/Aer Lingus Artflight Award (1998) “Mary Burke: begenadigd Ierse schilderes - een impressie.” Catalogue Introduction. Arts Council Travel Grant (1995) Lone Leth Larson. Director Danish cultural Institute Brussels. February 1999. United States Information Agency Fellowship (1993) “Front Row”. 9.9.1999. Arts Council Materials Grant (1993) “On The Boyle.” Review of Boyle Arts Festival by Aidan Dunne. Arts Council Residency, St Brendans Community School, Birr (1990) The Irish Times. 28.7. 1999. Arts Council Documentation Grant (1989) “A Morning at New Art Studio.” Hilary Pyle. NAS Newsletter. Arts Council Exhibition Grant (1986) Vol. 1. Number 1. November 1998. Grumbacher Artists Brushes Award (1984) “The Art of Mary Burke.” Catalogue Introduction. Desmond MacAvock. November 1998. Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Bursary, Montreal (1984) “Double View.” The Sunday Tribune. 27.12.1998. Taylor Bequest Painting Scholarship, R.D.S.(1981) “Mary Burke at Solomon Gallery.” Aidan Dunne. The Sunday Tribune. 15.5.1994. “X Marks”. John Farrell. CIRCA. no. 66 Winter 1993. Commisions include “New Art Studios at RHA Gallagher Gallery.” Aidan Dunne. Sunday Tribune. 26.9. 1993. Scott, tallon, Walker, Architects “Easter Exhibition at the Solomon Gallery.” The Arts Council Desmond MacAvock. The Irish Times. 20.4.1992. Telecom Eireann “Mary Burke: Suburbanscapes.” Catalogue introduction by Aidan Dunne. 1991. Aer Rianta “Mary Burke at Solomon Gallery”. Desmond MacAvock. The Irish Times. 15.5.1991. “Mary Burke at Solomon Gallery.” Aidan Dunne. The Sunday Tribune. 12.5.1991. Collections include “Review : Painting”. Aidan Dunne. CIRCA Art Magazine. No.50. Mar/Apr 1990. Adshel Ltd “The Best of the Eighties.” Aidan Dunne. The Sunday Tribune. 31.12.1989. Aer Rianta “The Oireachtas Art Exhibition.” Desmond Mac Avock. The Irish Times. 21.9.1989. A.I.B. Bank, Cork “Joint Exhibition at RHK.” Desmond MacAvock. The Irish Times. 16.11.1989. “An Urban Angle.” John Hutchinson. In Dublin. 10.11.1988. “Summer show at Solomon Gallery.” Desmond MacAvock. The Irish Times. 20.7.1988. “A Millennium Exhibition at the Solomon.” Desmond MacAvock. The Irish Times. 23.6.1988. “Steel, Glass and Shimmering light.” Kate Robinson. The Sunday Independent. 21.2.1988. “Solo at the Solomon.” John Hutchinson. The Sunday Press. 14.2.1988. “The Life and Works in a Semi Detached Studio.” Mary Burke interviewed by Ciaran Carty. The Sunday Tribune 14.2.1988. “Kitchen Sink Realist.” Aidan Dunne. The Sunday Tribune. 14.2.1988. “Hall and Stairs.” Catalogue introduction. Hilary Pyle. February 1988. “Irish Women Artists.” A National Gallery/Douglas Hyde Gallery publication. 1997. “A Place of Work at the RHK.” Aidan Dunne. The Sunday Tribune. 27.9.1987. “Four Views at Cork Arts Society Gallery.” Hilary Pyle. The Irish Times. 28.1.1987. “Four Views at Garter Lane Arts Centre.” Peter Jordan. CIRCA Autumn 1986. “The NCAD Decade Show.” Catalogue introduction. Aidan Dunne. 1986. “The Happiest Days?” Review of The Arts Council School Show by Kate Robinson. The Sunday Independent. 16.11.1986. “Take Four.” New Hibernia. September 1986. “Mary Burke at The Belltable Limerick.” Hilary Pyle. The Irish times. 5.9.1985.

Broadcasts Television City Scene. Cablelink. 17.9.1999. On The Town. RTE 1. 19.2.1988. Self Aid. RTE 1. 17.5.1985. Irelands Eye. RTE 1. 10.11.1982.

Radio The Arts Show. RTE Radio One 25.4.1995. The Arts Show. RTE Radio One 1512.1994. The Arts Show. RTE Radio One 30.1.1990. Appraisal. RTE Radio One. 28.1.1988. Appraisal. RTE Radio One. 18.2.1988. Appraisal. RTE Radio One 24.9.1987. Appraisal. RTE Radio One 23.10.1986. Appraisal. RTE Radio One 13.11.1986. Education Forum. RTE Radio One 13.11.1986. The Mike Murphy Show. RTE Radio One 14.5. 1985. Appraisal. RTE Radio One. 27.7.1983. A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s

I would like to thank the following for their assistance: David Browne and all at NAS, Austin Carey at DIT, Carissa Farrell at Draiocht, Maebh O’Regan. Special thanks to Aileen Ryan for her support and encouragment.

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Copyright ©2004 Mary Burke and Maebh O’Regan