The Place of Illustration within Contemporary Art: A Discussion

Tonight I will be on a panel discussing the place of illustration within contemporary art at the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

I used to be much exorcized on this issue but I haven't given it much thought in recent years so I have been dusting off a few ideas.

Thursday 5th December | 6.00pm - 7.00pm,  Lecture Room, IMMA 

In association with the forthcoming exhibition, Pictiúr: Exhibition of Children’s Illustrations, a panel discussion explores the place of illustration within contemporary art with artists and  illustrators. Speakers include Felicity Clear (artist),  P.J. Lynch (illustrator) and Chairperson, Brian Fay ( artists and Lecturer, DIT). 

"Fables and Fairy Tales in Irish Art" at the National Gallery of Ireland

The Study Morning on "Fables and Fairy Tales in Irish Art" at the National Gallery went really well.
It was a treat to spend a few hours discussing artists and writers who have fascinated me for so many years in the company of such experts as Dr Nicola Gordon Bowe, Dr. Jarlath Killeen, Dr. Roisin Kennedy, and Professor Kevin Whelan.
Many thanks to Dr Marie Bourke of the NGI for arranging such a great event and for inviting me to be part of the programme.


I used this picture "The Castle" in my presentation to show how a youngster can get totally lost in the fantasy world he might discover in a book.

"Adventures in the Life Room"

This Wednesday, 12th of October, I will be giving a talk at the RHA titled "Adventures in the Life Room", in which I will be discussing my passion for painting from the live model.
Alas I don't have too many adventures as racy as this book cover to relate, but hopefully it will still be be stimulating artistically.

The RHA Autumn series lectures are open to the public and will be held in the Friends Room of the RHA starting at 6pm on Wednesday evenings.
The lectures are free.
The RHA welcomes a suggested donation of €5 per lecture, which can be made to our donations box in the foyer.
Prior booking is not required for the lectures, early arrival is suggested to ensure your place.
If you require further information or have any questions about the lecture series, please contact the Academy Co-ordinator, Ciara Timlin, phone 01 6612558 or email ciara@rhagallery.ie

The Academic Tradition

We had a full house last night for my talk at the National Print Museum in Dublin.
Many thanks to everyone who braved the cold to come along.
Unfortunately the recording didn't go to plan, so instead, I will chop the talk down, and do it as a formal podcast when I get the chance.
In the lecture I touched a little on the subject of the academic painting tradition, and how it came to be inherited by American illustrators like Howard Pyle and NC Wyeth.
Here's another of my academic studies.
This one is of Mike holding the studio brush.

Illustration: The Cinderella Art-form

"Saturday Evening Post" cover by Norman Rockwell 1922


Here's a reminder of the talk I will be giving to-morrow evening.
I hope to be able to record and podcast it at some future date for anyone who can't get along.

"Illustrator PJ Lynch will give a lecture entitled Illustration: The Cinderella Art-form at The National Print Museum in Dublin, on Thursday 3rd December 2009 at 7.30pm. Admission is free.

He will discuss how in the area of children’s books, authors are generally, and thoughtlessly privileged over illustrators. And how in the visual arts arena, illustration is very often categorized as being at best, a lesser, junior art-form, and, at worst some sort of low brow craft, tainted by commercial motivations. Lynch asks if the boundaries between disciplines are breaking down, and whether contemporary illustrators can rise above the limits imposed by tired old definitions."

The Technique of Illustrating Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘Fairy Tales’

The National Gallery of Ireland has been given a wonderful gift of of ten superb original colour illustrations by Harry Clarke (1889-1931) which were executed for Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Fairy Tales', published in 1916 by Harrap & Co. in London.

The jewel-like colour illustrations, all in pristine condition, have been in a private collection since the 1920s. They were recently purchased and presented as a gift to the National Gallery by Lochlann and Brenda Quinn.

As part of the Gallery's Summer Lecture series celebrating the acquisition of these wonderful illustrations, I will be giving a talk on "The Technique of Illustrating Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘Fairy Tales’", with particular regard to the Clarke paintings of course.

Tuesday 16th June
10.30am

Talks are free and take place in the
National Gallery's lecture theatre. No booking required.
For information, contact Education: 01 663 3505

So if any of you are up and about in Dublin early next Tuesday, do come along.