Gallery Zozimus

Gallery Zozimus ⤏ Artists ⤏ Painting ⤏ Gourley A, George

George A Gourley

Biography

I come from a rural background, my grandfather and five generations before him were farmers. The home farm at Unagh just outside Cookstown is still worked by my family. I have vivid memories of a countryside and a people now sadly gone. I spent my childhood outside in that landscape playing and often riding in my dad’s Bedford lorry as he delivered animal feed stuffs and groceries all over the eastern Sperrin mountains.

This is probably where my interest and passion for what I paint originates. Accepting a redundancy and taking early retirement in 2015 has allowed me to concentrate on my painting and development as an artist. When I compare what I’m doing now to work from several years ago I and others see substantial change and evolution. Most important of all I believe I’m still learning as a painter, as an artist.

Much of what I do revolves around derelict farm buildings, people and farming methods no longer there. Derelict farm buildings can be found all over our landscape and are paid scant regard until they are gone, all too often they are replaced by a new build which in my opinion lacks the visual sympathy of the original. I enjoy exploring these, their place in the environment, their history. On many occasions I find family nearby who are surprised that an artist is interested in such buildings and has the good manners to ask permission to take photographs. Increasingly the interiors are providing me with so much more information and challenges.

Over the years I’ve discovered that regardless of where these buildings are they all have so much in common. Neglected, being overgrown and silent. All possessing an unspoken history. Inside many the fireplace or hearth remains a prominent feature, once the beating heart of the home. Some look as if the family only recently closed the front door for the last time.

My limited palette of Sepia and Burnt Sienna mirrors the lack of colour found within. There are lots of greys and browns, anything else is muted, soft and overlaid with dust and shadows. Soon very few of these derelict buildings will be left, in too many cases replaced by a modern dwelling, probably white, with a conservatory. An important part of our history and culture will be lost. I want to record what’s left before it’s too late.

Presently George is semi-retired and is a part time subcover teaching and art tutor to various council activities and local art clubs.

He is a member of the Ulster Water Colour Society.2015..1975-76 Foundation Art/Design, Ulster College of Art, Belfast.

2003 Appointed Head of Art and Design in Cookstown High School

Exhibitions.

The way we were. Horner Gallery.

1998 Solo exhibition, Byrne gallery Cookstown.

2010 Solo exhibition as part of Aigües Arts Festival, Co. Carlow.

2016 and 2017, National Craft and Design Show, RDS, Dublin.

2018 and 2019, Artsource, RDS, Dublin.

Art tutor/teacher with the following groups….

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Gallery Zozimus

George A Gourley

Heaven

Tears in the Rain

Shadows & Reflections

Another Dawn

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Man In Iron

A New Shoe

Tea is on the Table

Once Red II

Another Down

Tears in the Rain

Many A Mile

Disconnected

Elements

Tears

The Shovel

Dawn Light

Many A Mile

Tired Feet Happy Heart

Silence

Tears in the Rain