On a winter’s evening, against the still waters of Lough Erne, where landscape and light have long inspired artists and writers alike, a groundbreaking new collaboration in Irish art was unveiled last month at the Lough Erne Resort.
The launch marked a unique partnership between Enniskillen-based art gallery Hambly & Hambly and the luxury hotel, bringing contemporary Irish art into dialogue with one of the county’s most striking natural settings.
Curated by Ciara Hambly of Hambly & Hambly, the Lough Erne Art Collection features works by Eamon Colman, Brian Byrne, Billy Moore, Maria Noonan McDermott, Colman-Mazur and Neil Greig, alongside a number of other contemporary Irish artists.
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Many of the artists attended the launch evening, where guests had the opportunity to meet them in person, discuss their work and gain insight into the stories and inspirations behind the paintings.
Ciara Hambly (centre), organisor of the Lough Erne Collection Art exhibition at the Lough Erne Hotel, pictured with her son Fionn and daughter Méabh (Image: Paul Jackman)
Those attending the evening enjoys traditional Irish music as well as champagne and canapés as well as a few words from each artist involved.
In one of the most striking series in the collection, two artists have collaborated on the same canvas for unique experience for the ‘Views from the Drawing Room’ series at the hotel with stunning result, the collaboration between abstract Artist Eamon Colman and Figurative Artist Andrzej Mazur was well received by those attending the event.
Artist Billy Moore and Marianne Fahy read through the Exhibition catalogue (Image: Paul Jackman)
Speaking to this newspaper while seated in the drawing room under a piece of his shared work with Mr. Mazur peering over his glasses , Mr. Colman said: “Andrej is a very figurative artist.
“It has been an amazing experience, working with someone from a totally different tradition so his training and my training would have been poles apart, it is like putting two languages together and making it work.
“It has been amazing; Ciara came up with the idea, she brought us up here and showed us the views so everything in this room is in response to the lake.
Artist Eamon Colman proudly stands next to one of his collaborative works “Drawing Room Series No III” (Image: Paul Jackman)
Colman, a member of Aosdána continued: ““I couldn’t be prouder; it has been an extraordinary experience. I am a fisherman so I have been coming up to the Lakelands since I was ten, nearly 60 years. What they have done here is quite extraordinary.
“I am a very slow painter, and I did a series based on the poetry of W.B. Yeats series where I responded to the poetry, he did an awful lot of poems in this area. The painting behind reception is based on a poem of his about a winter’s night on the lake discovering the sound of the banshee.”
Renowned artist Brian Byrne with his wife Tricia next to one of his exhibited art pieces on show (Image: Paul Jackman)
Many pieces throughout the hotel are inspired by the landscape and natural beauty of the Lough Erne.
In what is a unique concept, the resort has put the works at the heart of their guest experience.
Indeed, as one spent time in the resort it was hard to imagine the rooms without the pieces of art.
Michael McHale, James Britton and Alison Lucchesi at the Lough Erne Collection Art Exhibition (Image: Paul Jackman)
The private exhibition offered attendees an early opportunity to explore and acquire works from the thoughtfully curated 65-piece collection, displayed throughout some of the Resort’s most distinctive public and private spaces.
The collection has been carefully integrated into the setting, allowing guests to experience the artworks in situ and appreciate how they complement the Resort’s atmosphere
Stephen and Kizzy McWhirter enjoy the art on display (Image: Paul Jackman)
A number have been purchased by the hotel as part of the Lough Erne Private Collection including the striking piece by Eamon Colman featuring the Banshee.
One attendee remarked to this reporter that while visiting the resort a number of days before the event, staff at reception took a great deal of time to discuss the artwork, its inspirations and treated it with the same respect and enthusiasm as the resort’s other offerings such as the Thai Spa and Golf Course.
Lee McLaren, Rosaleen McGonagle and Patrick Dineen at the Lough Erne Collection Art Exhibition (Image: Paul Jackman)
Gareth Byrne, General Manager at Lough Erne Resort, said: “It was a pleasure to host so many visitors at the Resort for an evening celebrating the best of Irish art. The evening was the perfect opportunity for people to relax and become inspired, meeting the artists and experiencing how the Hambly & Hambly collection enhances the Resort’s spaces. The exceptional quality and diversity of artwork from across Ireland were met with clear appreciation, resulting in a truly memorable celebration of the collection and a very special moment for Lough Erne Resort.”
Gareth Byrne, Lough Erne Resort welcoming guests to the event. (Image: Supplied)
Ciara Hambly, Curator at Hambly & Hambly, added: “The response to the Lough Erne Art Collection has been incredibly positive. It was wonderful to see guests engaging so thoughtfully with the works and connecting directly with the artists. The collection showcases the depth of talent among contemporary Irish artists, and seeing the pieces spark conversation throughout the evening reinforced our passion for making art accessible and meaningful.”
The Lough Erne Art Collection remains on display throughout the Resort for guests and visitors to enjoy.
Evelyn Hassard and Alison Rimmer enjoying the Lough Erne Collection drinks reception (Image: Paul Jackman)
Jane and Mary Richardson raise a toast at the Lough Erne Collection Art Exhibition drinks reception (Image: Paul Jackman)