LCGA Exhibitions

LCGA is delighted to present Charles Harper: A Retrospective this exhibition is reimagined from the RHA exhibition in 2018

Charles Harper is one of Limerick’s adopted sons as a revered lecturer and Head of Painting at Limerick School of Art and Design for many years and as one of our better-known artists.  Harper’s ambition for his art ran parallel to the establishment of an exciting reputation for painting in LSAD and indeed as one of the founding members of EVA – Ireland’s only biennial event.  This retrospective exhibition provides us with an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the development of Harper’s work over almost 6 decades.

Why a retrospective?

‘The advantage of a retrospective is the opportunity to review works produced through periods of experimentation, before the artist has developed their distinctive methods of working, and that often comprise little know examples, many of which may have been retained by the artist and rarely seen in public; gems whose value becomes particularly evident in retrospect.  It is an opportunity also to see how ideas may develop from their earliest manifestations, to reach a fuller realization or give way to competing interest.‘    (Excerpt from catalogue essay by Dr. Yvonne Scott).

Harper’s signature style is associated with the grid, a style he adopted in the 70s, when American artists working within the rigour of Minimalism and Serial art were also deploying it.  However, Harper’s adaptation was less functional and more metaphorical with societal restrictions at its core.  In an early work from the 60s we are offered a glimpse into how political his sensibility was at that stage. The figure and the geometric permeate his works throughout the decades with landscape entering his oeuvre only in the past two decades.

The exhibition will feature works from the mid 60’s to the present throughout the ground floor galleries at LCGA.   A fully illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition with texts by Patrick Murphy, Director of the RHA, and Dr. Yvonne Scott and Aidan Dunne.

LCGA is indebted to Patrick Murphy, Director of RHA who curated this exhibition.

Information sheet for exhibition at LCGA   Charles Harper, Retrospective info sheet (218 Kb)

For further information or queries please contact Siobhan.oreilly@limerick.ie