Eamon Colman

To celebrate both his 69th birthday and the closing of his Dublin exhibition at the Solomon Gallery, Aosdana member Eamon Colman gave an open talk at the gallery, one fine Saturday afternoon in June. I have known Eamon for many years, admiring his work greatly, and was honoured to have him launch my own exhibition in early June, which I wrote about here.

Dublin was in the midst of a heat-wave (27C) but there was a pleasant turnout for the final day of the show to hear Eamon’s artist talk on a painting career of over four decades.

I had some time to peruse the works, which I had only seen previously online. While definitely an “abstract” painter, Eamon works in the true meaning of that word, that is, “taken from”, and a viewer becomes immersed in the painting just as Eamon is immersed in the environment. I particularly like the brain and tree images that come to my mind while looking at this painting, Do you give a thought, now and then, to the essential sparrow or the necessary toad?, and I am reminded of David Byrne speaking with a brain model at the beginning of his performance American Utopia, which I saw live in Dublin prior to covid.

Eamon’s beautiful wife, artist Pauline O’Connell, brought along some old photographs (which were passed around) and led the talk by asking a few relevant questions.

Eamon’s wonderful storytelling - I have known him for years, yet many stories were completely knew to me - is reflected in the poetic titling of his work, such as On a white morning there was a temporary cool (top left), Round and round the planet we go on towards Pigeon Mountain (middle), and The snow tree recalls a tale of a spider wind (bottom right).

When the hour for the talk was up, I don’t think I was alone in wondering where the time had gone! But a huge (and delicious) cake was brought out and everyone in the gallery joined in to sing to this much beloved artist and friend. It was a wonderful privilege to be present for this celebration. Below is a picture that managed to include Eamon, Pauline, and their son Reuben in it.