Take a Trip to Ireland: HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EXHIBITION MARKS NEW DEPARTURE FOR ACCLAIMED ARTIST ‘Portrait of a Horse’ represents the fulfilment of over three years work
Chára Nagle unveils her latest work titled ‘Portrait of a Horse’ encompassing eight original acrylic on canvas pieces including famous horses ‘Sea The Stars’, ‘Yeats’, ‘Kicking King’, ‘Teofilo’ and a composite piece titled ‘Size of the Start’ at an exhibition to be showcased at No.15 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. Launching on Thursday 1st December to an invitation only event, the work will be on display to the general public until Sunday 11th December inclusive.
Following on from her sensational sell out exhibitions in 2007 and 2008 which led to her being heralded as ‘one of the country’s most exciting talents in Ireland’, since then Nagle has spent 3 years creating ‘Portrait of a Horse’. Speaking in advance of the launch, she stated “Creating this new collection has been an all consuming passion over the last three years, and as an artist and individual, feel very excited to showcase this new body of work. Feel that I have gained a new inner strength from working so closely with these thoroughbreds which in turn has been a extremely humbling and getting back to basics process.”
With the very generous help and guidance of Tamso Doyle from Horse Racing Ireland, Chára received behind-the-scenes access to the Sport of Kings and captured over 135,000 individual photographic images of the racehorse from the stud farms and yards to the racecourse, taking perspectives from both National Hunt and Flat Racing. Conversations with trainers, jockeys, stable and racecourse staff brought the personalised attention which turned the horse from a mere possession or an art object into a living personality with its unique, formidable, intimate presence. Tones, tints, textures and shades of colour and light were scrupulously analysed under screen filters and effects to meticulously capture the mystical depth and field energy that emanates from equus caballus. “I believe it wouldn’t have been possible to create the level of intensity in these paintings without the length of time and close proximity to these horses and am extremely grateful for the magnitude of trust that was granted over the years by the people within the horse racing industry. Without their friendly welcome, support and advice this equine collection would not have been possible ,” she continued.
Drawing inspiration from the work of artist Carravaggio (c.1596-c.1599) and his technique in creating passion, suspense and drama in his art, she strived to meticulously capture the nobility, majesty and mystical depth and field energy that emanates from equus caballus. Her attention to detail is evident in how she has captured the splendour of their form, and in her mastery in using chiaroscuro light effects to create a space of silent knowing and dialogue between the horse and the viewer.
Along with a new subject matter for her as a portrait artist, Chára’s approach for her 2011 exhibition is to make fine art accessible to all and is not selling the originals but creating museum quality, fine art limited edition prints in three different sizes. “This is an opportunity for those who appreciate art and may not have indulged in acquiring an original, to own a piece that resonates for them. Furthermore, the eight originals in the collection are to tour in Dubai, London, Paris, New York and Tokyo throughout 2012”, she said.
When asked to define her style, Chára uses just two descriptors; bold and beautiful. The truth is that she has developed a new aesthetic of ‘romantic realism’ formulated and mastered from the greatest artists of the Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic and Impressionist periods of art. Taken to dizzyingly high standards of technique, Chára combines a classical naturalist realism of form and proportion with a romantic celebration of colour and life. And in relation to colour, Chára aims to capture a range of several thousand different shades of colours on canvas by working from her typical mixes of 6 reds, 3 oranges, 6 pinks, 4 yellows, 7 yellow-ochres, 5 browns, 12 blues, 9 greens, 3 blacks, 2 whites and one standard purple. Nearly all of these are mixed and deployed in her masterpiece portrait of ‘Sea the Stars’.
Her canvases range from 48” (4ft high) x 40” (wide) to an ambitious, impressive 43.5” (high) x 129” (almost 11ft wide). The latter, entitled ‘Size of the Start’, was based on a group shot of horses lining up on a sparklingly clear day for the start of a steeplechase race at the Punchestown Festival in April 2009. For portrait and figure work, Chára has chosen the internationally renowned thoroughbreds ‘Sea the Stars’, ‘Yeats’ and ‘Teofilo’, with ‘Kicking King’ and the tender lunging of yearling filly ‘Merrymaking’.
The exhibition takes place over ten days at No. 15 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 from Friday 2nd December until Sunday 11th December and is open between 10a.m. and 8p.m. with free admission. It is also possible to book the space for private group viewings in the evening by appointment.
The limited edition prints come in three sizes and are produced on museum quality Italian paper and those that are framed using museum quality glass. The framed prints are available to purchase and range from €650 to €1,250 and unframed in The Tube are €100.
A selection of limited edition prints of four images from the outstanding ‘Moments’ Collection have been especially made available and presents a unique opportunity a choice of two sizes. Prices are €450 for the small and €750 for the large format.
‘Binocular Girl’ - Large 21 x17.5" - Small 12.4x10.4
‘Garçon’ - Large 21x25.9 - Small 12.5 x 15.4
‘The Deck’ - Large 21x34.2 - Small 12.5 x 20.4
‘On Location’ - Large 21x25.1 - Small 12.5 x 14.9
Following the Dublin exhibition she will tour the collection in 2012 taking it to some of the most respected and biggest race meetings in the world including; The Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot, Travers Stakes in Saratoga in New York, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris and finally the Japan Cup in Tokyo.
Log on to Chára’s website www.charanagle.com
