Two major solo exhibitions – Voyages by Irish modernist master Mary Swanzy (1882 – 1978) and Rebuilding the Future by the German artist Wolfgang Tillmans – open at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) on October 26.
Pre-dating Evie Hone and Mainie Jellett by several years, Mary Swanzy can arguably be identified as Ireland’s first ‘modernist’ painter. However, her experimentation with a wide range of styles, along with her reluctance to participate in large exhibitions led to her being critically side-lined and although one of the most iconic and recognisable of modern Irish artists, there has not been a substantial retrospective of her work since 1968.
Wolfgang Tillmans has shown his work in previous group exhibitions at IMMA but this is his first solo exhibition at the museum, and his first solo project in Ireland. The exhibition includes new works from the artist who had a major show at Tate Modern last year. Both exhibitions will run until February 17.
Mary Swanzy / Young Woman with a White Bonnet c.1920 / Oil on Canvas / 99 x 80 cm / Private Collection / Courtesy Pyms Gallery, London
Wolfgang Tillmans / Elephant Man, 2002 / © Wolfgang Tillmans / courtesy Maureen Paley, London
