Acclaimed local artist unveils long awaited exhibition of work

Acclaimed local artist unveils long awaited exhibition of work

9 September 2015

A PACKED Down Arts Centre saw the launch of a retrospective exhibition by celebrated local artist George H Smyth.

It was a chance for people to see the art work usually held by private collectors, on loan to the arts centre until October.

With titles such as ‘Time and Tide’, ‘The Time is Now’ and the ‘The Lost Man’, George’s work focuses on themes such as the transience of time and the why and where of our place in the universe. Clocks are a recurring motif in his work alongside lost figures seeking new directions or escaping the rat race.

There are also twists on the more classic land and sea scenes. The stunning ‘Serendipity’ for example, makes the viewer feel they are sitting inside the boat itself, gazing up at the stars.

As well as the imposing full-scale originals, visitors can also admire a collection of framed limited edition prints.

Born in Ardglass, George graduated from the University of Ulster in 1994 with a BA Honours in Fine Art and since then has produced and sold almost 450 paintings.

He was encouraged by his late father Ben, a talented water-colourist himself, to draw and paint and it is to him that the exhibition is dedicated.

Discovering the work of the Surrealists as a teenager cemented his ambition to become an artist.

Befriending his hero, the Scottish painter Peter Howson gave George great support throughout his college years where his work became dark social commentary.

Settling at Tyrella Beach in 1995, his palette became brighter, inspired by the local landscape and the sunshine of Los Angeles, which he frequently visited.

During his career to date he has exhibited with the RUA, had shows in London and New York, produced iconic artwork for rock bands and his paintings and prints hang in private collections around the world.

Reflecting on the success of the opening night at Down Arts Centre, George described it as “probably the best night of my life”.

“At seven o’clock things just started to go at 100 miles per hour,” he said. “The centre was suddenly packed with friends, family members, collectors of my work and the general public who had turned up to see the paintings.

“The last eights months of my life have been about making sure this went well on the night 

and it was perfect, I’m just delighted.

“There were people from Germany and Spain there and a couple are coming later in the month from the U.S to see it, several people also made the trip down from Belfast. I really hope as many locals as possible take the opportunity to visit and see what all the fuss is about.”

The George H Smyth exhibition runs until October 3.