Waterford County Museum are delighted to announce the opening of a new exhibition to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of Irelands greatest artists, Jack B Yeats. The exhibition is curated by Willie Fraher and Tony Hayes. Willie has uncovered the Yeats link with Dungarvan where he visited in 1924, painting a number of works. These were later acquired by the noted Republican Ernie O’Malley and his wife Helen Hooker O’Malley. We are grateful to their son Cormac O’Malley for providing images of two of the Dungarvan paintings.
The exhibition concentrates on Yeats drawings and illustrations. There is a selection of first edition books illustrated by Yeats such as: Life in The West of Ireland, The Aran Islands, and The Turf Cutters Donkey. Also on display are original hand-coloured prints by the Dun Emer and Cuala Press, and bookplates designed by Yeats. Museum staff member and artist Tony Hayes has reinterpreted some of Yeats drawings and these are available for kids or adults to colour in. There is also a sheet where you can design your own bookplate.
The curator would like to thank the following for their assistance in the preparation of this exhibition: Cormac O’Malley, Hilary Pyle, Julian Walton, Margo Kehoe, Joanne Rothwell, Waterford City & Co Archivist and some lenders who wish to remain anonymous.
The exhibition is open during normal museum hours.
