|
|
|
|
Kieran Tobin
Kieran Tobin is a native of South Tipperary living in Galway for many years. He graduated from The National University of Ireland, Galway, in 1966. The following year he married Ann. He practiced as a consultant E.N.T. Surgeon at University College Hospital in Galway before retiring from the medical profession in 2004. He is now a full time painter."Into the West", held at An Dámhlann in April 1998, was Kieran Tobin's first solo exhibition in his hometown of Galway. Looking for a hobby a few years before that, Kieran began reading magazines about painting and became interested in various techniques. Since 1991, when he started painting, he has become completely 'hooked'!
Kieran is largely self-taught. Starting with watercolours, he moved to acrylic and then to his preferred medium of pastel. Landscape is Kieran's interest and "Into the West" was made up of paintings of the Connemara landscape. Kieran feels that Connemara is his second home, and he loves to paint it. He loves the solitude he can find there and the fact that he can get away to a place where he can be completely on his own. Kieran's inspiration comes from exploring the length and breadth of Connemara and the exhibition featured some of his old favourite haunts - Roundstone, Maam and Ballinahinch.
"Into the West" provided us with a glimpse of Kieran's own personal Connemara. There was wonderful variety in this exhibition. Kieran painted the sea, the lakes and the waterfalls. He showed us the mountains, the hills, the woodlands and the bogs through his eyes.
From Oughterard west to Clifden and South to Roundstone, Kieran captured Connemara in many of its moods. From misty 'soft' days to vivid sunshine highlighting Autumn colours, his paintings demonstrate a sensitivity to the changing light of a beautiful environment.