The work started with an aerial photograph of some fields. From the air, you could make out the furrows and linear rows of planted vegetation. I became interested in exploring how, within the process of working with the landscape, man had scored the landscape in such a way as to highlight its contours, with natural results. The painting is about enforcing a linear controlled pattern on the picture plane, while all the time having an understanding that the imperfections of my attempt were what gave it a human presence.
Paraic McQuaid was Artist in Residence at Draiocht from June-September 2001.
Paraic McQuaid (b. 1976, Co. Monaghan) studied art and design at the University of Ulster, where he was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art. He then completed a Master’s Degree in Cultural Policy and Arts Management at University College Dublin. Paraic has had solo exhibitions at Draíocht Arts Centre, Dublin; Monaghan County Museum; and the Basement Gallery, Co. Louth. Paraic’s work is included in the collections of the Dundalk Urban District Council, Monaghan County Council, Monaghan County Museum and the Castle Leslie Estate (Glaslough, Co. Monaghan). Paraic was awarded a residency at Draíocht Arts Centre and an art grant from Dublin City Council. He was also commissioned to do a portrait of Sir John Leslie, and undertook commissions in Monaghan County Museum (Hill Street, Co. Monaghan). Paraic works solely with paint, however, he has recently worked with artists from other disciplines. Their collaborative projects include photography and an art film. He is currently the co-ordinator of a professional development course for artists at the Institute of Art, Design & Technology in Dun Laoghaire.