As part of a series of events celebrating the work of legendry Dutch/American artist Jo Baer, Highlanes Gallery have organised a visit on Saturday 17th June to the fascinating wonderland of Knowth which had a huge influence on her work.
Jo Baer had a very successful caeer in the sixties in New York but left that behind in 1975 and came to live in Smarmore Castle where she lived and worked as a member of the domestic staff until 1982.
She also moved away from the abstract style for which she had been so well known towards the complex historical stories that needed telling through realistic painting.
During that time she became fascinated by a Neolithic Hurlstone in the castle grounds which, according to local lore, was thrown there by giants.
This was the starting point for a long series of paintings called “In the Land of the Giants” which explores rich intercultural connections and took several decades to complete.
Contributors to the evening in Knowth will include Muiris ÓSúilleabháin, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at UCD, Janine Armin, Guest Curator, Writer, Caoimhín MacGiolla Léith, critic, curator and Senior Lecturer in Modern Irish (UCD), Gabriel Cooney, Emeritus Professor of Celtic of Archaeology (UCD), Paddy Dillon, Poet, and musicians Sárán and Tadhg Mulligan.
Refreshments are included in the price (€25) and a vegan option is available as a separate ticket. Meet at the Highlanes at 5.00 pm to where you will be returned at 9.00 pm
For more information and to purchase tickets CLICK HERE
Coming Home Late: Jo Baer In the Land of the Giants, which is currently showing at Highlanes Gallery (29 April – 17 June 2023), provides an insight into Baer’s 60-plus years as a painter, and feature the artist and her peers who helped define what we understand to be contemporary painting in the West.
