‘Almost There’ at the Kenny Gallery

Poet Pete Mullineaux will officially open an exhibition of new paintings by Fran McCann at Galway’s Kenny Gallery this Friday, November 24, at 6pm.

The exhibition is entitled Almost There and it showcases the work of an expressive painter in the style of Jack Yeats.

Although he’s a keen observer of the world, Fran McCann’s paintings express an inner world of emotion rather than being realistic depictions of what he sees.

He’s a talented saxophonist as well as an artist and images of dancing musicians and mythical figures frequently emerge from the vibrant layers of oil that underpin his paintings.

A self-taught artist who emerged from Belfast in the 1960s, Fran McCann first learned to draw to impress his schoolmates. That attracted the ire of some of his teachers who thought Fran’s dyslexia meant he couldn’t excel in any area.

However, draughtsman John Luke was so impressed with the younger man’s talent that he took him under his wing.

The Troubles saw Fran and his family emigrate to Australia, and the trowel reigned supreme for most of the time spent ‘Down Under’ as he worked in construction. His return to Ireland marked a new beginning in his relationship with art.

When Fran came back to art, he discovered that paint rather than pencil was his preferred medium, and realised that painting with a knife was the most immediate and direct way to express his ideas.

And that’s what he has focused on since.

Almost There will continue daily, from 9am-5pm, Monday to Saturday, through Christmas at The Kenny Gallery, Liosbán Retail Park, Tuam Road, in Galway City. Admission is free, and all are welcome.