DID YOU KNOW August 2013 by Deirdre Mckiernan Hetzler
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DID YOU KNOW August 2013 By Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler That the IACI logo was designed in 1965 by Irish artist Brian Ferran? It portrays the American eagle symbol in a style from the Book of Kells . In 1972, four of his works were reproduced on the covers of Eire‐Ireland. Ferran is an internationally celebrated artist who once served on the IACI Board. But he didn't originally plan a life in the field of art. At 15, He won the Ulster Youth One Mile Championship and planned to use his athletic ability to become a PE teacher. Perhaps the tenacity and determination learned in athletics helped him become one of the North's most celebrated artists, appearing in collections all over the world and winning numerous awards. A past pupil of St. Columb's, Brian said it was his art teacher, Fr. Neil McCarron, who first ignited his burning passion for art. McCarron taught math and physics, but held art classes on Saturdays. That's where it all started. Brian trained at St. Joseph's in Belfast, Cautauld Institute in London, and did post‐ graduate studies in Business Administration at Queen's University. From 1966‐1990, Brian Ferran served on the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the last ten years as Chief Executive. The Arts Council's Trustees were initially unwilling to allow a Catholic to assume that role. The phony resume of the Trustees' first choice eventually forced them to promote Brian from his role as Assistant Director. He has lectured at universities and public galleries in the United States on aspects of contemporary Irish art, served on numerous committees and boards, and organized an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by five artists from Northern Ireland for the 1990 Houston International Festival in Texas. This exhibition was subsequently shown in Chicago, Boston & Springfield, Massachusetts, Waco in Texas and Portland, Indiana. 1989, he completed three large stained glass windows for a church at St. Patrick’s College College, Maghera, Co. Derry and in 1990, a mural 10 feet high by 15 feet long for the entrance to St. Columb’s College Derry. He organized a USA tour of paintings by Basil Blackshaw in 1996. Ferran's work, which is held in collections all over the world, is primarily concerned with the mythical and magical, and explores his interest in Irish history, archaeology and mythology. He and his wife, Denise, also an artist (and former Fulbright scholar teaching in Minnesota), He co divide their time between a home in Belfast, and their home and studio in picturesque Malin, County Donegal. He continues to work every day, though he says some days he just goes in and moves brushes around. His reputation as one of Ireland's best historical artists has earned him the Douglas Hyde God Medal for Irish Historical Painting, and he is an honorary member of both the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Royal Ulster Academy. .