“ The artist’s life is to be where life is, active life, found in neither ivory tower nor concrete shelter; he must be out listening to everything, looking at everything, and thinking it all out afterward .” Sean O’Casey
Dramatist and memoirist Sean O’Casey was the first Irish playwright of note to chronicle life for working and lower-class Dubliners. A committed socialist, his style was known for its combination of dark humor and tragedy. Dr Anne Cormican will discuss some key illustrations of Sean O’Casey’s work in art such as the panel for Juno and the Paycock in Harry Clarke’s masterpiece The Geneva Window, as well as pieces in the O’Casey’s family home. Her thesis for her MA Anglo-Irish Literature juxtaposed O’Casey‘s The Silver Tassie and William Orpen’s war paintings as anti-war works.
Dr Anne Cormican’s interests are interdisciplinary and she regularly gives illustrated talks based on the HLG collections. Presented as part of the Hugh Lane Gallery’s Explore & Learn education programme. The HLG houses one of Ireland’s most exciting collections of modern and contemporary Irish and international art. While it is temporarily closed for refurbishment, Explore and Learn programmes are operating in a range of locations citywide.
Image accreditation: Juno and the Paycock by Harry Clarke. Collection: Hugh Lane Gallery.