It’s official – John Mullane is finished! With one foul stroke of her brush, Slieverue artist Marley Irish put the finishing touches to a superb portrait of the Déise star that will form the centrepiece of an impressive new exhibition of Waterford hurling paintings. The depiction shows Mullane in a typically emotive pose, leaning back, fists clenched, screaming at the heavens – another point in the bag. So terrifying is the image that it’s alleged that Mum threatens her children that if they don’t behave they’ll be sent upstairs to ‘Mullane’! A keen hurling fan herself, Marley is immersed in the local camogie club, while both husband PJ and the kids all play. She says: “Hurling is in my blood and with this exhibition I want to capture that unique pride, passion and never-say-die attitude of Waterford hurling.” Next Marley has her eyes set on bloodying the brows of Ken McGrath, Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh and Tony Browne among others. In the meantime ‘Mullane’ stands proudly in the corner of her gallery. It promises to be a great exhibition and will take place in the Bodega Restaurant on John Street in Waterford city in four weeks’ time. Miss it at your peril!
[With thanks to Gerry Madden]
