Pallet of the Glens

Original acrylic on canvas by David Page

150x150cm unframed

More by David Page

This body of work by David Page is part of an exhibition titled 'Our Land' which launches in Canvas Galleries September 26th 2024.

Moira O'Neill's ‘Songs of the Glens of Antrim’ (1863-1955) is a heartfelt
lament for the glens. Similar to William Forbes Marshall’s memories of
home, emigration is the driving force behind the collection, with the
pain of separation more easily captured in poetry.
‘Lookin Back’ perhaps conveys a bit of that anguished sentiment, but
in a unique way using colour. It is a colour chart poem, intertwining
memories of colours into verses of recollection. For example, in verse
one, 'white gulls flying' and 'waves are green'; in verse three, 'roses
for miles an' redder than ours' and 'black-eyed gold sunflowers'. The
second verse, which inspired this painting, includes 'airy blue' and
'shadows between are blue', contrasting the mountains of the Rockies
with those of home.
In the frontispiece of one of the books in the Linenhall Library, a
previous owner inserted a newspaper clipping about Moira O'Neill
and her travels from Cushendun to Canada and then to Wexford,
which includes the wise advice, ‘She was sensible about her talent and
she stopped writing when she had no more to say.’

Moira O'Neill, Songs of the Glens of Antrim p56/7