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The Project

I have been invited to have my first solo exhibition in my hometown of Dublin, Ireland in October 2012.

On May 17, 1974, multiple car bombs exploded in Dublin and Monaghan, killing 34 people and injuring more than 300. It was the single highest casualty count in the entire history of the Northern Ireland conflict.

I was six years old at the time and living in Glasnevin on Dublin's northside.

Though I have vivid memories of the early 1970's - my father introducing me to the actors Noel Purcell and Micheál Mac Liammóir in Stephen's Green in 1973, the funeral of Eamon de Valera in 1975 (I still recall the cannon fire from Glasnevin Cemetery), Jon Pertwee turning into Tom Baker on "Doctor Who", Alvin Stardust, Slade and Suzi Quatro on "Top of the Pops", my uncle taking the above photo in their front garden, and on and on - I have absolutely no recollection of the events of May 17, 1974. Absolutely zero.  And I found it deeply troubling and puzzling as to why I have such vivid recollections of such mundane things from this period, and none of what was the single most devastating event to occur in my hometown in my lifetime.

This is not a political exhibition. "NINETEENSEVENTYFOUR" is an examination of memory. Why we sometimes fail to remember significant events, yet can vividly remember seemingly trivial details. And how the media, and technology affect and distort memory.  If it helps draw attention to an event that, until recently, has been little discussed in Ireland, then all the better.

The exhibit consists of a series of "pop art" portraits of Irish and British celebrities who were either popular at the time of the bombings, or who have stuck firmly in my mind since childhood. Each portrait is set against the backdrop of the bombings, obscuring the details. The trivial remains fixed and vivid, while the important is obscured and forgotten.

Where will the money go?

I have calculated that I need at least $2,000 in order to pull this off.  I need closer to $3,500, but $2,000 will ease my pain considerably. 

The funding will help me purchase materials to finish the pictures needed for the exhibition (Wood, canvas, spray paint, screenprint emulsion & chemicals, paint, ink, varnish etc).

It will also go towards covering the shipping to and from Ireland (the pictures are on wood panels, so this will be expensive.  I have tried other and lighter surfaces, but they just look better on wood) and help me get over there to hang the show, attend the opening, say hello to my mother and get back to the US again.

What's in it for you?

I have some very nice backer rewards in there for you.

Backers at the $200 level will receive "The Sexual Perversion of Ireland" - an original limited edition, signed and numbered hand-printed silkscreen on aluminum (backers outside the US will receive it on aluminium at no extra charge for the additional vowel and syllable). 

The piece measures 18" x 6" and the edition size will be strictly limited to the number of $200 backers, plus a few artist's proofs for myself.  I originally planned a series of 4 4"x6" prints, but I prefer the four images on a single sheet.

Due to the surface variations of metal and the handmade nature of screenprinting, each print will vary slightly from the one depicted below.

If you're a band or musician, at the $100 and $200 levels you can get yourself an original digital or silkscreen poster, with a design of my choosing, for upcoming gigs.

Many thanks!

Colm