callum innes|colm tóibín

The gallery introduced Callum Innes and Colm Tóibín in February 2010. A long-time admirer of Innes’s work, Tóibín spoke at length with Innes about the artist’s watercolours during their initial meeting. They subsequently continued their conversation at Innes’s studio in Edinburgh this summer. As their creative connections became apparent and their friendship grew, the gallery asked Tóibín to write an essay in response to Innes’s works on paper, a request that led to Tóibín’s powerful short story water|colour. After reading Tóibín’s text, Innes created a new body of watercolours based on it. The resultant exhibition will include this new “block” of 101 watercolours by Innes and excerpts from Tóibín’s story.

Innes’s new works on paper are comprised of ethereal squares of complexly layered colour painted on paper with the dexterity and sensitivity for which the artist has become known. The visually charged edges of the squares reveal glimpses of the individual colours in their pure form, giving the viewer an understanding of how the layers interact to create the finished work.

Tóibín’s water|colour tells the story of Nora, a middle-aged housewife struggling with the recent death of her husband and its effect on her family. Tóibín elegantly weaves a poignant tale of loss, depression and, ultimately, the promise of healing, placed against the backdrop of the unique colours of the Irish shoreline.

A full colour, 232-page book, which includes reproductions of all of Innes’s 101 watercolours as well as Tóibín’s text, will be published in conjunction with the exhibition