“Lord of the Dance” star Michael Flatley’s painting were greeted with great acclaim in Mayfair, London, at the launch of his first visual art exhibition “Firedance.”
The exhibition featured over fifteen new paintings created in a style that is unique to the artist - Flatley substitutes traditional paintbrushes with dance movements to create strong energetic, choreographed abstract compositions on canvas. The vivid paintings aim to “mirror the art form for which he is most famous and hereby capture the mystical, performative aspect of his dancing practice.”
The exhibition coincided with Flatley’s last ever UK performance of “Lord of the Dance”; “Dangerous Games” at Wembley Arena, July 4. Guests on the night included Paul McGinley, Alistair Guy, Lady Violet Manners, Hum Fleming and HRH Princess Alia Al Senussi amongst others.
Highlights of the exhibition include “Firedance” and “Oh Pretty One!”, two compellingly colorful works which continue Flatley’s highly personal exploration of movement. The paintings draw inspiration from a range of influences and recall the work of artists such as Jackson Pollock and Gerhard Richter. “Oscar Wilde”, painted in 2015 by the artist, echoes the work of David Bomberg, the father of British abstractionists and another of Flatley’s inspirations.
Earlier this year two of Flatley’s paintings sold for a total of $128,000 at an auction held by West Cork’s Morgan O’Driscoll Fine Art Auctioneers. “The Power” and “Flight of the Quetzal,” sold for €77,500 ($83,348) and €44,000 respectively.
In 2014 Flatley sold a painting, entitled “I” for just over $6,000. The painting was auctioned as to raise funds for the restoration of Christ Church Cathedral, in Dublin. In December his painting “Rossmore Island” sold for $27,645.
At the December auction Michael Sheppard, of Sheppard's saleroom in Durrow, County Laois, joked with the crowd “Don’t blame me in a few years’ time when we see these going for millions.”
The exhibition “Firedance” will run until July 18, at 12 Hay Hill Club.
For more visit www.michaelflatleyart.com.
Comments