THREE artists in south Galway have transformed a working farm shed into a new pop-up gallery, with almost 70 people attending its opening night.
Three Palettes opened at The Shed in Derrykeel on Saturday, August 29, bringing together the work of Anna de Marigny, Leonie McEvoy and Fabiano Mulas.
The gallery is located on the grounds of Mulas and Valerie Woodlock’s home in Derrykeel, in the foothills of the Slieve Aughty Mountains near Gort.
The idea for the gallery was developed over the winter, with the building cleared, fitted out and prepared for its first exhibition over the following months.
The original character of the shed has been retained, with its steel trusses and corrugated roof left exposed. Freestanding walls have been installed to display the artwork, while hay bales have been used as plinths.
The three artists have very different styles, which inspired the exhibition’s name.
Ms De Marigny works in oil and cold wax, often using a palette knife, with her work influenced by the landscape of the west of Ireland and its changing light.
Ms McEvoy focuses on the beauty of everyday life and details that can easily be overlooked, while Mr Mulas, who is originally from Sardinia, creates work documenting the forest around Derrykeel and the Slieve Aughty Mountains.
“It was conceived at the end of a wet winter, when a thing like this always sounds easier than it is,” said Ms de Marigny.
“I was the one who suggested the end of summer, which seemed a safe distance away at the time. Three painters, three very different styles and a shed. It was a case of build it and they will come.”
The opening was deliberately kept as a soft launch, with invitations available by request as the artists were unsure whether the facilities would be able to accommodate a large crowd.
Despite the soft launch, almost 70 people made their way down the rural road to the gallery.
Pizza and snacks were served by Basilico, while a wood-fired oven was set up inside the shed.
“We were not sure what to expect and we got seventy people down a country road on a Saturday evening,” Ms de Marigny said.
“There were red dots. There was pizza. Everyone had a ball. It exceeded all expectations, and somewhere in the middle of it we realised we had put a proper cultural event on in south Galway, which is not a phrase any of us would have said out loud back in February.”
Three Palettes continues at The Shed in Derrykeel until Sunday, September 6.
The gallery is open by appointment, with visitors asked to contact any of the three artists to arrange a viewing.
