OnTheTown: An eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary paintings and sculptures greeted art enthusiasts at the Hallward gallery's summer exhibition on Tuesday.
Muriel Allison and Maura Fennell praised the affordability of the show. "I buy now and then if the price is right," said Fennell, who was particularly taken with Song XI by Michael Canning. "I always barter in art galleries," she confided, looking around for a member of Hallward staff.
Jim Harkin, a portrait artist, said the exhibition was wonderful. "It's the most varied mix of stuff at very affordable prices. It's the perfect starting point for those beginning to collect."
Gallery director Mary Tuohy said she was delighted at how the show turned out and by the reaction and size of the crowd on opening night.
Despite the relatively small size of the gallery, 138 works were on display without creating a cluttered atmosphere. Dennis Mamalis and Dorothy Smith, who both have paintings in the show, commented that the exhibition was particularly well hung, adding that mixed shows can be difficult to exhibit.
"It's beautifully hung. One picture can kill another if they don't suit one another," agreed Carmel Kelly, another artist browsing thegallery.
Michèle Souter was also exhibiting her painting, Off Shore Bahamas, at the summer show. "My first studio was on a yacht and I've spent most of my life sailing," she said "So I paint a lot of seascape pictures."
Summer at the Hallward runs at 65 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, until Aug 25. www.hallwardgallery.com