A controversial exhibition which features Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch will be officially opened in Co Kerry tomorrow.
Mr Hutch is among a series of portraits and studies which have been made by court artist Mike O’Donnell.
Many of the images on display were created in Mr Hutch’s sitting room, with the artist having been invited to his subject’s home to capture the images.
The exhibition, which is entitled ‘Released’, also features a variety of scenes and other individuals from Ireland’s courtrooms.
Mr O’Donnell has sketched prominent members of the legal profession such as Brendan Grehan, Senior Counsel, and Roisín Lacey, Senior Counsel.
The Kerryman has also captured those who have sat in the dock, such as convicted criminal Jonathan Dowdall and former republican prisoner Martin Ferris.
Mr O’Donnell’s craft as court artist is an old one.
However, the practice has declined significantly in recent decades. Mr O’Donnell is now the only court artist working in Ireland at present.
“I have to work at speed and I work with ink, so the margin for error is very tight. I try to convey the essence of the characters before me, but also, if possible the atmosphere of the courtroom.” said Mr. O’Donnell.
Mr O’Donnell spent many hours capturing the courtroom scenes during the Regency Hotel murder trial in the Special Criminal Court.
He said that during the trial, Mr Hutch noticed the artist sketching and through his legal team requested copies of the Kerry artist’s work.
After the trial and Mr Hutch’s acquittal, an intermediary arranged for Mr O’Donnell to visit Mr Hutch in his home.
Mr O’Donnell described it as a surreal, but pleasant experience.
“I brought an apple tart with me from Kerry and he was delighted, so we had tea. We had a good chat and plenty stories. He was very welcoming.” explained Mr O’Donnell.
“After a while then we went in to his sitting room. He was sitting on the couch and I was moving around him making different sketches. He was very co-operative.
“He seemed to understand my needs as an artist. He wasn’t rushing me and he was staying still,” he said.
Mr O’Donnell made numerous sketches of Mr Hutch during the two hour sitting, sketches which now form the basis for 16 images featured in the exhibition.
The inclusion of portraits of Mr Hutch and other crime figures has drawn criticism, however, with some people of the view that such an exhibition is glorifying crime and providing criminals with an undeserved platform.
“As an artist I feel it’s good to challenge and push the boundaries. As an artist I want to be brave and I want to impact people and I want to stir their feelings and their thoughts and maybe have a visceral reaction to what I do.” said Mr O’Donnell.
‘Released’ will run for the month of February in St John’s Theatre in Listowel.
The exhibition will be officially opened by award-winning film director Jim Sheridan at 1.30pm tomorrow.
The prices on the artworks range from €7,500 upwards, while the title piece – a striking portrait of ‘The Monk’ – will be unveiled for the first time at the opening event, carrying a price-tag of €100,000.
