Works of Art produced for BBC Children in Need
Every week Out of the Blue are asking leading artists to produce a work of art live during the programme which has been auctioned for Children in Need.
Week 6: 21st November 2011
No matter where you go in Northern Ireland you're never far away from one of Maurice Harron's iconic public sculptures; 'Hands Across the Divide', Carlisle Square, Londonderry, 'Let the Dance Begin', an 18 ft stainless steel figures on the roundabout just off the main Omagh to Derry Road, 'The Chieftain' on a hilltop in Curlew mountains in Co. Roscommon and 'The Laganside Angel', Belfast Harbour district.
Over the years Maurice has created over 40 pieces of public art and is Northern Ireland's most prolific sculptor. Working to address issues of belief, ethnicity and political tension in public locations, over the past 18 years, he has made works which explore themes connected to social, historical and cultural identity. Although most famous for his public sculptures he maintains that he has worked in every area of art with numerous exhibitions in private galleries around Northern Ireland and all this while working full-time as a teacher.
In the studio Maurice used wax and a gas burner to create a sculpture of a horse. This is just the first process. Maurice will go on to cover the with clay and then put it in a furnace. The wax will pour out of it and then, in the cavity of the clay, bronze will be poured into it. This bronze sculpture will be auctioned for Children in Need.
Week 5: 14th November 2011
Born in Londonderry, Domnall Starkie is famed for his own brand of Controversial Art. After studying Graphic Design at Humberside University and working in England and Australia he has now returned to Derry to pursue his artistic career.
While in Australia, one day he went out and bought some paints and canvases and thought he would give it a go. Six years on he has developed his own very individual style described as a contemporary take on the deepest depths of everyday life. Domnall’s art explores the dark undertones in our society particularly our obsession with celebrity and the influence of the mass media. Domnall's painting will be auctioned off soon. Details to follow.
Week Four: 7th November 2011
In week four, Out of the Blue featured Belfast born sculputre, Brendan Jamison. This year Brendan was commissioned by North Down Borough Council to make a sculpture of Bangor’s Town Hall. Made of sugar cubes it included intricate details such as the hands on the clock pointing to eight minutes to seven. It was all part of the Ninth ‘Art On The Seafront’ project which aimed to rejuvenate Bangor through art.
In February 2012 Brendan will display a 2 feet high sugar cube recreation of 10 Downing Street in an exhibition in 10 Downing Street.
For the Children in Need auction, Brendan has created this stunning 3D image of Belfast's City Hall out of sugar cubes for the Children in Need auction in just sixty minutes. It is presented in this wooden coffee table with a glass top and is sure to look magnificent in your home and this and the rest of the artwork produced on the 'Out of the Blue TV series will be auctioned for Children in Need in due course. Details to follow.
Week Three: 31st October 2011
On Monday, 31st October on Out of the Blue, Katherine Rush will be created one of her pieces for the Children in Need Auction. Katherine is an up and coming young talent in Belfast art scene and is very interested in the representation of women:
‘As a female artist, who works with the female form, I believe my biggest challenge is to portray the female figure in an honest, open and reliable way’.
Week Two: 24th October 2011
In week two, Out of the Blue featured local comic book artist John McCrea.
He has illustrated iconic characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Hulk, Spider Man, Daredevil, Wolverine, Star Wars, Judge Dredd and the Simpsons amongst others.
John works as an illustrator in book, record and magazine publishing and undertakes design and story boarding work for multimedia and the entertainment industry including being a Lucas film accredited artist.
John has drawn his famous Spiderman character swinging through the night sky on A3 paper in just 60 minutes.
He has interesting techniques - drawing on red paper using pencil then black felt tip and using white tipex for the whites of the eyes and highlights. He also uses markers for grey tones. Incidentally when he does Batman he uses blue paper - Incredible Hulk, Green etc.
Week One: 17th October 2011
The first week featured artist Christine Trueman who produced this beautiful painting of local singer Ruby Murray.
Christine's current work is focused on the iconic faces of the sirens of the silver screen. This stunning piece of art work was auctioned at the Down Royal Festival of Racing on 5th November.
