Pitches made for painting

From Mary O'S

And so after marriage and family rearing I find myself returning to education funded by European Equal Opportunities Grant. The stirring in my soul of feminist reawakening reminding me of my nature. The wonderful world of academia offering me insight into reasons why I often felt like a fish out of water in a patriarchal society which didn’t appreciate stroppy women. Opinionated and rebellious but privately struggling with self esteem. And then, back on that road of learning I meet Mary Duffy. Memory sparks the relief of self expression which learning and creative expression brought me in a life long abandoned. The energy of her orange clothing, the fluidity of it draping her body brightens the room. Presented as an example of a woman artist with a disability I don’t see her physical lack. It is her eyes which capture me. No gaze averted here.

The question is often asked “have there been any great women artists”. Well, what do you mean by great? One thing for sure is that male artists have objectified women’s bodies since the beginning of time. Devoid of body hair with their eyes averted, women have been molded, groomed and presented for pleasure by male artists for male consumption. Beauty prescribed thereby. Mary’s portrait work is in the modern tradition of the female artist which can shift the comfort zone and provoke controversy. It is concerned with the beauty or horror within as expressed from the deepness of a woman’s soul. It is how we are. However, I suspect both men and women feel certain disquiet at Mary’s self portraits. Let’s face it- she has no arms! So how does she do it? Moving quickly on…..

Shortly after that class I came across a gallery in Kilcoole where Mary’s landscape greeted me each time I passed. The massive explosion of color revealed the seashore of Newcastle and Kilcoole. This is where I walk and soul restore. Bold and vibrant it surely was in every sense of the words. With little hope of owning any of these fine mood altering works I contented myself with regular visits to the gallery. To my utter pleasure I discovered the exhibition at Tinakilly and languished in the splendor of its lounges under the canopy of lilies and reeds and garden paths and energy of the fullness of my environment. Having the best of both worlds, seashore, garden tea and log fires.

And so to the RDS before Christmas 2009. I came simply too meet Mary and maybe, just maybe…. Her Tsunami gigli prints have been on my mind. Her watercolors show me another side of Mary, tender, empathetic, delicate. I decide on The White Rose and spend my weekly household budget on it. I have never seen the painting in the flesh but I trust Mary. It is delivered next day by trustee Denis. I am thrilled. Over and over again. Its delicacy reminds me of life, with its beauty and its thorns. I marvel at the skill of such a refined drawing. I have to remind myself that Mary uses all which is available to her. This is apparent in all of her work. That is why it is impossible to choose a favorite. But you are asking me what would I bite my nails for….

I must address disability. I have lived with generations of disability in my family all my life. Diversity is my preferred word to describe those who do not conform to the “norm”. I have met more angry, dissatisfied and narrow-minded normal able bodied people that I have met those labeled “disabled”. I am comfortable in this world. When people are awkward with a description for my son I reveal that any description won't change how he is. Look and see how he is I say. Take time and please don’t run away and he will show you what you need to know about him. Just as it is not possible for Mary to understand how it is for me with arms, so I can never imagine her position. However, I recognize the boldness. I relish the sassy can do attitude because I too have been the unconventional. I admire the confidence of self expression. I appreciate her feminist approach. Having her work in my home is a reminder of how determination, self belief and energy freely given makes so much possible. I see wholeness in her paintings

And so the nail biting painting must be about something I do every day. “Starting Out”.




Mary