Cherry trees in spotlight as singer John launches Jim’s new exhibiton

Cork singer-songwriter John Spillane will be the special guest at the Kenny Art Gallery this Saturday, April 6, at 1pm for the launch of The Dance of the Cherry Trees, the latest exhibition from Jim McKee

Tyrone-born Jim is a self-taught artist who is fearless with paint and finds inspiration wherever he goes – it could be a cluster of wildflowers, the bend of a boreen, a corner of a bog, a tractor in a field, or the colours of nature.

For many years, the Burren was his home, physically and spiritually. Then things went wrong, before they went right again.

“My journey goes from enjoying success as an artist to the despair of the recession, to being evicted from my home after 10 years and then an unexpected return to my home county of Tyrone with a new love and a new baby,” he explains.

In 2008, Jim had a successful career with commissions and many exhibitions. These included a solo show at The Kenny Gallery, which was a sell-out. However, the recession changed everything. Finances became tight and, in December 2014, Jim and his son, along with four other families, were evicted from their homes.

He returned to Tyrone, which was a traumatic move at the time. However, four years on, he now has a family life he never anticipated, not to mention a new studio which has given his work a new lease of life.

Jim was and continues to be deeply inspired by the Burren and its people. This new exhibition is a Springtime celebration of paintings, mostly cherry trees with themes running through them.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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