Back in the year 2000, Ralph was in the National Museum in Cardiff, looking at the paintings, and amongst the old masters there was a large painting that stopped him in his tracks and set his head spinning. It kept pulling him back for repeated visits... The museum had acquired the painting, Running Away With the Hairdresser, in 1995. It has become one of the most popular pictures in their collection, and certainly one of Kevin's most famous and recognizable works.
Full of radiant energy, it sat proudly and comfortably amongst the museum's treasures. It was also a familiar and compelling rendition of the contemporary world. It made a resounding connection, so clearly and open-heartedly…
It occurred to him that he could have a painting like this in his life, and he decided that he would try to buy one. And eventually he did.
The spark from that one painting, that one moment of connection and its transformative embrace, an interest and a commitment grew and branched, and eventually became a little gallery. And here we are, nearly a quarter of a century later, inviting you to come and see our first Kevin Sinnott exhibition.
It goes without saying how proud and excited we are to be able to share this new collection with you.
The work is full of motion and joy: The paint flows, and the wind blows! Everywhere, there are flags and laundry and arms all waving. His figures can't seem to contain themselves, forever rolling and beckoning, leaping and dancing! The streets and the hillsides are backdrops for the unruly choreography of life.
How easy is it to talk about the pain and the losses, to show the scars on our landscapes and faces and to dwell on our myriad disappointments? Kevin rescues our treasures. He reminds us of the pleasure of the extravagant richness of the precious sun on our skin, the thrill of collapsing together into the grass after a breathless dash up the hill. He is clearly alive to the consolations of memory, but still he exhorts us to live in the present fleeting moment. To laugh and dance and love.
Always, his generosity of spirit shines from his work.
Kevin has been exhibiting his work all over the world for 40 years. He is represented in many important public and private collections. Eloquently, he brings his love for his home and its people to the attention of the world.