 Four Celtic Cycles by Martin Finnin A limited edition of seventy five sets, of twelve lithographic prints of Four Celtic Cycles by Martin Finnin, are now available. Each print measures 500mm x 650mm, and is embossed with a Martin Finnin seal, and is individually numbered and signed by the artist. Each limited set is presented in its own exclusive presentation box made specially by Muckross House Bindery. A special introductory price of € 3,500 for the set is offered for a limited time (full price € 4,500) The original paintings, which are also available for sale - individual prices below will also be on view at The Kenny Gallery Liosbán Retail Park, Tuam Road, Galway for a limited period from June 27th. If you are interested in reserving a copy of the print set or if you require any further information please contact us: art@kennys.ie tel: +353 91 709350 Please include relevant contact details with your query and we will get in touch with you. For information on this exhibition and biographical information on the artist please click here | ||
THE MYTHOLOGICAL CYCLE |
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 No.1 The Flight of Fiontain by Martin Finnin Watercolour on Handmade Paper Original: 45x61cm € 6,500 We start in the mythological cycle, sometimes called The Book of Invasions. It begins with the coming of Cesair, the granddaughter of Noah. Noah would not let her on the boat because she was a bit saucy so she built her own ship and sailed across the sea. She brought 50 women, 3 men and 5 sheep with her. The men were shared out amongst the women. It was their job to populate Ireland, their new country. Two of the men died of exhaustion which left one man, Fiontain to service all the women. He escaped with the women in hot pursuit. Just as the women encircled him, Noah's floods crashed into Ireland and Fiontain the shape shifter turned into a salmon. He survived the next 5000 years as a stag and an eagle, while all the Cesairians perished.For me this is the most important battle scene. * * * |
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 No.2 The Rise and Fall of the Nemedians by Martin Finnin Mixed Media on Canvas Original: 90x131cm € 12,500 The Nemedians, named after their leader Nemed left their land with 34 ships. On their journey they saw a huge golden tower rising out of the sea. Driven by greed, most of the fleet approached the tower. Suddenly a great torrent rose causing the loss of the fleet. Only the chief and his ship survived. This is the largest piece in the mythological cycle. * * * |
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 No.3 The Arrival of the Tuatha De Danan by Martin Finnin Watercolour on Handmade Paper Original: 59x81cm € 8,500 This magical tribe arrived with their flying ships on the Irish coast. They were initially unable to land because of an energy field created by another tribe, the Formorians. They had to circle Ireland nine times before they found their way through. Its rumoured that they destroyed their own ships upon entry to make a retreat impossible. |
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| THE ULSTER CYCLE |
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 No.4 Scatach Giving Cuchulainn the Gae Bolga by Martin Finnin Watercolour on Handmade Paper Original: 44x62cm € 5,500 In this cycle, I just focused on Cuchulainn. In particular on the Tain . In this first painting Cuchulainn is receiving his Gae Bolga (lightning spear) from Scatach, the magic warrior. Cuchulainnn learnt magic and warfare from her. In the painting, they are floating on leaves to show the transfer of knowledge. The abstract elongated shapes in the background symbolise magic. * * * |
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 No.5 Cuchulainn Fighting Morrigan the Shape Shifter by Martin Finnin Mixed Media on Handmade Paper Original: 50x70cm € 6,500 This is a battle scene from the tain. Queen Medb sent Morrigan to kill Cuchulainn. They fought in the river. The magic poles are seen in the background. During the fight Morrigan shifted from a crazy she-wolf to a vicious eel which attacked the hero from behind. He finally kills her in all forms and continues to battle Medb army. * * * |
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 No.6 Cuchulainn versus Fiar Diad by Martin Finnin Mixed Media on Canvas Original: 90x130cm € 15,000 For me this is the most important battle scene. Fiar Diad and Cuchulainn had been pupils under Scatach and were blood brothers. He did not want to fight Cuchulainn but Medb ridiculed him and told him that everyone would say he is a coward if he did not fight. They too fought in the river where Cuchulainn defeated Morrigan. They treated each-other very well at the end of each day, offering medicines and food. Then on the third day Fiar Diad put on a body amour and iron apron as protection against the infamous Gae Bulga. Fiar Diad through his sword which wounded Cuchulainn, burying itself in his side. Cuchulainn threw his Gae Bulga and pierced his friends heart. He stabbed a second time to make sure and it protruded through his body. The only colour here is the blood red of Cuchulainn’s eye and the wound of his friend. |
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| THE FENIAN CYCLE |
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 No.7 The Fairy Palace of the Quicken Trees by Martin Finnin Watercolour on Handmade Paper Original: 50x70cm € 8,500 This is a lovely story. It is about the love triangle of Finn McCumhall, Diarmuid and Grainne. There is loads to talk about here but to simplify it, this scene is from the pursuit of the young couple by Finn. He knows that Diarmuid and Grainne are in the magic tree. But because the tree is magic he has to entice Diarmuid out. He does so by setting up a game of chess under the tree knowing that Diarmuid is a chess fanatic. During this game between Finn and Oisin, his son, Diarmuid cant help himself and tries to prevent Oisin from making wrong moves by throwing berries. Grainne is on the other side trying to stop her lover. * * * |
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 No.8 The Travel to Tir na nOg by Martin Finnin Mixed Media on Canvas Original: 120x160cm € 25,000 This is the largest painting in the cycle, depicting this well known story. The scene shows Oisin and his lasher (forgot the name) travelling across the sea to Tir Na Nog, the Land of the Young which can be seen in the top left corner. The waves are monoprinted with large sheets of glass. * * * |
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 No.9 The Elopement by Martin Finnin Watercolour on Handmade Paper Original: 51x70cm € 7,500 Diarmuid & Gráinne on their 1st night of elopement. |
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| THE HISTORICAL CYCLE |
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 No.10 Flying from the Battle Field by Martin Finnin Mixed Media on Handmade Paper Original: 63x90cm € 8,000 What I need to say about this cycle is that I decide to focus on one character only because I think he has enormous importance to Irish arts - mad McSweeny. He was a high chieftain of Ireland who took offence to a priest building a church nearby. He promptly marched naked into that church and threw the priest and his chalice into a nearby river. The priest put a curse on him, to live naked and die by the point of a spear. McSweeny was called to assist in the battle of a friend that day and in the battle had a breakdown he took all his clothes off again and jumped on an enemies shield high up into a tree. He lived high in the sky, roaming Ireland from tree to tree. * * * |
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 No.11 A Vision of the Birdman by Martin Finnin Mixed Media on Canvas Original: 91x131cm € 12,500 This is the main piece of the cycle. McSweeny was a chief, a pagan, a hermit, wedded to the birds, the trees and the stars in the sky. He imagined that he was a bird and that he could fly around Ireland. He was Irelands lunatic poet king and many poems are attributed to him. Sheamus Heaney has translated various poems attributed to McSweeny. In this scene he is nested in the treetop, staring at the stars. The towers of eyes on each side are a symbol of the paranoia he might have suffered. His story invites a lot of discussion around the fine line between madness, genius and how either is defined by society. It also reminded me of W. Blake, the 18th century printmaker and alchemist who lived in a tree in his back-garden. * * * |
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 No.12 The Death of McSweeny by Martin Finnin Mixed Media on Handmade Paper Original: 50x70cm € 6,500 This is a study of The Death of McSweeny. McSweeny came down from the trees for a little while and a man called Moling took pity on him. He asked his cook to give him a bowl of milk every day. Like a wild cat he used to come down and drink the milk. The cook’s sister in law told the cook’s husband that she saw McSweeny giving the cook the glad eye and in a fit of jealousy the cook’s husband threw a spear at McSweeny as he was drinking the milk. It went through his heart and killed him. In this painting I would like the spirit of McSweeny to soar up into the sky like a bird. |
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"So far I have been having a ball. I knew nothing |