Peter Pearson: Art and Artefacts of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown

18 February 2022 / News
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17 February – 30 April 2022, Level 3, dlr LexIcon

Peter Pearson is well-known as a passionate advocate for the conservation of Ireland's architectural heritage, also as a historian and highly regarded painter. He is the author of numerous publications including Dún Laoghaire/Kingstown and Between the Mountains and the Sea. His new book The Granite Coast (O'Brien Press) will be published later in 2022. This exhibition is a celebration of his wide-ranging work and was launched by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy to a packed audience on Thursday 17 February

The exhibition is divided into three main themes, firstly PETER PEARSON THE ARTIST. There are over 40 of his works on display, dating from the 1970s to 2021. He is an artist AND an art historian and this richness is evident in his vibrant and often surreally wonderful paintings of scenes of Dublin Bay, Dún Laoghaire Harbour, the chimney stacks at the Pigeon House and the views from the Dublin mountains.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has had a long and positive connection with PETER PEARSON THE AUTHOR, ever since supporting his early publications such as Dún Laoghaire/Kingstown and Between the Mountains and the Sea. Peter has written on The Forty Foot – A Monument to Sea Bathing and on the Royal St. George Yacht Club and his Decorative Dublin and The Heart of Dublin: Resurgence of an Historic City are all essential reading for expert and enthusiast alike.

Finally, there is PETER PEARSON THE ACTIVIST. Peter has often described his early fascination with old things. He was shocked how so many landmarks of the past were demolished - ‘that heritage and memory and artistic creations could count for so little.’ This sense of loss and waste led to his activism as a member of An Taisce and The Irish Georgian Society where he has fought to save many historic buildings in Dublin including the Drimnagh Castle Restoration Project in 1984 and the creation of a survey and plan to save the Temple Bar area in 1985.

The heart of the exhibition is a testament to Peter’s passion and love of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and the wider Dublin area. Thanks to his art, writing, lobbying and lecturing, people are increasingly putting a value on the old buildings and structures, ironwork and street furniture of our towns and villages and of course the big houses and castles in our area. The exhibition highlights and honours his immense contribution to the quality and enrichment of our daily lives through his unique vision, infectious enthusiasm and deep knowledge of our history and heritage.

Tours of exhibition with Peter Pearson: Wed 2 March at 11.00am & Sat 12 March at 3.00pm

Talk by Peter Pearson: Wed 23 March at 7.00pm in Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon.

Tours and talk are free but booking essential on Eventbrite

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