Michael Downes’ The Wild Garden opens at Kennys

Date Published: {J}

The Wild Garden, a new exhibition by Cork artist Michael Downes will be opened at The Kenny Gallery, Liosbán Retail Park, Tuam Road, Galway, this Saturday, February 19 at 2.00pm.

Michael Downes came to art late in his career. Having graduated from University College Cork, he went to work in the commercial world but painting was always his first love, and eventually he decided to give up his business career and dedicate himself to being a full time artist.

This set him off on a journey as he began to explore his native county first, and later the west coast of Ireland in search of inspiration. It is no surprise then that the landscape should feature extensively in his work. He revels in the challenges imposed by the ever changing lights and colours of the countryside. His keen sense of observation allows him to capture the magic of moving light on the landscape.

He occasionally likes to zoom into his subject and explore the layers of colour and movement in wild hedgerows and gardens

Michael uses a variety of media, watercolours, pen and inks, oils and acrylics and is constantly experimenting with textures and searching for new ideas and compositions.

Michael, who is represented in public and private collections, is a director of Cork’s Crawford Gallery. This is his first solo exhibition in Kennys.

The Wild Garden continues daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm from Monday to Saturday until March 10. Admission is free and all are welcome.