– Shoreline –

an exhibition of new paintings by

LIAM HOLDEN

Venue: The Greenlane Gallery Dingle

Date: Saturday 4th May, 2013 at 7.00 pm

‘The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.’ – Marcel Proust

In 2011, Liam Holden and Danny Sheehy built a Naomhóg in Ballyferriter, using traditional methods. As the boat began to take shape, they talked of making a voyage to the Island of Iona in Scotland. That idea became a reality on the 26th of May 2012 and the voyage began. Along with Liam, the crew included Anne Burke, professional photographer, Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, musician and Danny Sheehy, traditional boat builder. They set out from Ballycastle, Co. Antrim and the crew rowed and sailed, arriving on Iona on the 1st of June.

After spending ten days on Iona, they began the return journey, fishing along the way and camping near the boat at night. They made several stops at the isles and inlets along the west coast of  Scotland before finally returning home after 24 days at sea.

This exhibition of paintings began with the building of the Naomhóg and grew out of the ensuing voyage. In Liam’s own words:

‘For my art, this experience of being at sea day after day on the boat and the making of the boat is an important component. I have a great admiration for the skill and craftsmanship of the Naomhóg makers of old who constructed a vessel of such seaworthiness and beauty. Doing something like this reinforces why I love the sea’.

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