Artist's Ancient East gift cards at Showcase

Fergal O’Dea has always been fascinated with the way we relate to our built environment and how over a period of time we develop a relationship with it. Eventually these iconic places and landscapes become unique for all of us evoking many nostalgic sentiments and feelings. As a consequence Fergal has drawn and painted the townscapes of Ireland and painted seascapes of the Wild Atlantic Way and Ancient East in an attempt to capture those glorious moments.
Fergal O’ Dea is an Architect and Artist native of Co Cork. He commenced his BA of Architecture at the University of Greenwich in 1995. Upon finishing his architectural exams in 2001 he obtained a distinction with much of his work going on exhibition. He returned to Ireland that same year and was seen to be employing his drawing skills in much of his commercial work.
Like many during the recession Fergal had to diversify and reinvent himself after he lost his job in 2008. He went from being a very busy Architect to essentially having nothing to do at all. Therefore he decided to revert to his first love which was drawing and painting. Picking up his pencil for the first time in years was a curious experience for him but soon all the techniques he thought he had forgotten came flooding back. With his sketch book in hand, he could hone and document his drawing style so that it truly reflected its subject matter. Walking through the cityscapes of Cork, Dublin and Galway he could see that the built environment has a particular meaning for each one of us, evoking many happy memories and stories from the past. For example it could be someone’s marriage at the Honan Chapel , Cork, or a young couple’s first rendezvous under Clery’s Clock Dublin. All of us know a place that can bring forth such happy memories, so Fergal decided to draw these places so that we could place them in the heart our home.
Realizing that there was a market for his particular style of drawing and painting , Fergal was soon supplying all the main retailers and Galleries from “ Trinity College Dublin” “UCC” “Blarney Castle”, “ the G.P.O Dublin ” and “Cork craft and Design” . For Fergal there is nothing more enjoyable than seeing the joy that a print can bring to his customers.
Fergal has recently completed his Ancient East collection of Gift cards which he hopes to exhibit at Showcase at the RDS in Dublin from the 22nd to 27th of January. This is trade show where all the crafts people of Ireland can congregate and demonstrate their product range to prospective buyers from all over country. His Ancient East collection spans from the Rock of Cashel to Reginald’s Tower Co Waterford. The bright and edifying painting style depicted in his gift cards reflects Fergal’s positive decision to rebuild his career from the ashes of the recession and take the opportunities that came his way.