The work of Galway based artist Briane Bourke, an elected member of Aosdana and one of Ireland’s most accomplished and well regarded artists are found in the most important collections in Ireland and overseas and now have pride of place in the reception lobby of the Galway owned Brooks Hotel at Drury Street in Dublin 2.
A triptych, they are superb example of his landscape work and catch the eye immediately one enters Brooks, a small luxury hotel of the world where original works of many of Ireland’s best known artists are widely displayed throughout.
Briane’s figurative and portrait work are also much sought after, in fact, throughout the six decades of his vibrant and varied artistic career, Brian Bourke has had an abiding love of theatre and actors. He has frequently drawn actors in the flow and moment of rehearsal or performance and also made them the subject of considered portraits.
This rich strand of his work is the focus of a thrilling new exhibition currently running in the Town Hall Theatre until April 6th entitled, ‘On The Boards’. The show mostly comprises drawings but also includes paintings and features such figures as Marcel Marceau, Fionnuala Flanagan and Mick Lally, scenes from plays by Beckett, and productions by Druid.
Brian Bourke was born in Dublin in 1936. He studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and St. Martin’s School of Art in London. He represented Ireland at the Paris Biennale and the Lugano Exhibition of Graphics, both in 1965.
Brooks’ investment in Irish arts and culture is extensive and includes sponsorship each year of the Dublin Film Festival (the hotel boasts a state of the art 28 seater Screening Room ) and the Dublin Book Festival.
