St. Columba / Cole Mug history collides with the personal

history collides with the personal

and even a nod to his cat’s recent dental surgery and medication

Ex Communicate captures the moment St Brendan of Birr witnesses Columba—flanked by angels and preceded by a column of fire—after his excommunication at the Synod of Tailtiu (c

Hold Fast is rooted in the legend of St Veronica

one of Ireland’s most revered early saints

St. Columba / Cole Mug history collides with the personalOil and acrylic paint on canvas 1m x 1. 25m, 2021 This picture takes the death of St Columba of Iona as its starting point. The text is his alleged last words and the horse crying behind, because it knew he was to depart, and forms part of that story. Other details are my usual diaristic things, relevant to the time this was painted