Dublin’s The Doorway Gallery is hosting a series of weekly online exhibitions: Getting to know you takes advantage of the extra time currently afforded us to get to know the Gallery’s artists and their lifestyles better, and by showing their works in the making the artists’ studios, giving the viewer an idea of the journey that the artwork makes before it hits the gallery setting.
Additonally, a live questions & answers event on the gallery’s social media platforms (see below) allows the viewer to ask the artist about their work, which will be available for viewing and purchase online – in some cases with a promise of special pricing for the event. The Gallery is also posting videos and additional online content.
The series kicked off with painter Dave West, and continues with painter Dan Henson from 11th May, who will be guesting at the Gallery’s Facebook Live evening at 6pm on Thursday 14th May.
From 18th May Cormac O’Leary will be showing new work, and among the artists to follow suit will be Adam de Ville, Marika Rosenius, Roisin O’Farrell, Isobel Henihan, Padraig Parle, Ursula Klinger, Ivan Daly and Roisin O’Farrell.
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Getting to know you
The Doorway Gallery’s response to the coronavirus challenge is Getting to Know You, a series of weekly online exhibitions each featuring a gallery artist. Apart from showcasing the work, the idea is that virtual visitors can get a glimpse into the artists’ working lives. As gallerist Denise Donnelly points out, the gallery schedules its exhibitions programme way into the future – as much as three years in advance. Sadly for those whose shows fall around now, of course, the gallery remains closed.
So online access is the best available alternative. But her aim is to provide something more than and different to simply checking out a website to click through an inventory. The scheme allows not only a look at the artists’ new work but also, if you download the gallery app, a chance to see any particular piece in the context of your own surroundings, as well as video interviews, and Q&A events on social media platforms.
Donnelly emphasizes that, to preserve the link to the gallery’s planned programme, the work will not be available to view until the start date of the online shows.
First off was Dave West, including a Facebook Live evening – wine optional – in the company of the artist. Dan Henson features until May 17th. His work combines virtuoso realist painting with a liking for abstract form and pattern in nature. Thereafter, the ever-popular colourist Lucy Doyle, known for her still-life, interior and figure compositions, takes over, followed by Adam de Ville, Marika Rosenius, Francis Boag, Cormac O’Leary and more.
It is a diverse range, linked by the artists’ commitment to the craft of, usually, representational painting. See thedoorwaygallery.com, with links to instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
If, like me, you’ve rearranged quite a bit of furniture at home over the last few weeks and now have some empty walls which are crying out for some art, then you might be interested in a new app created by The Doorway Gallery which allows customers to view paintings from the gallery collection, hanging on their own wall at home. Owner Denise Donnelly explains, “People are finding it great fun. The app measures the exact size of the painting so the buyer can really get a good idea if it will suit their home. Also we are offering free delivery for customers in a ‘try before they buy’ option. We will drop off the paintings (if based in Dublin) for a couple of days – it’s always easier to make a decision when you have the artwork in situ.” Also worth noting is a series of artist talks called “Getting To Know You” which The Doorway Gallery is running until August. If you’ve ever wondered how artists work, each week a different artist will be profiled with a live question and answer session every Thursday at 6pm on Facebook. This week it’s Dan Henson known for his colour and texture. www.thedoorwaygallery.com
