Fintan's art helped him through times of darkest trauma

Two shocking life events – the death of his wife and the suicide of his daughter just six months later – led to an extremely traumatic time in the life of professional artist Fintan O’Brien of Castletown Geoghegan.

Fintan lost his wife to cancer in 2022 and his daughter Realtín aged 22 to suicide six months after that.

Yesterday evening (Monday), saw the opening at The Atrium in the County Buildings in Mullingar of Machnaimh (Reflections), a striking series of works painted during that time by Mr O’Brien, a contemporary artist who lives in and works from Carn.

The official launch of the exhibition is this Thursday and the exhibition runs until April 25.

Fintan graduated with a degree in fine art painting from NCAD in the 90s and has exhibited locally, internationally, and nationally throughout his career. His current exhibition is a mix of abstract expressionist paintings, and some mixed media works on paper.

The artist hopes that the paintings, described as vibrant and otherworldly, might evoke an emotive response in the viewer.

The oil paintings were completed during those gruelling days, and Fintan, who says now his art saved him during his darkest time, speaks of how valuable art can be during these challenging times that we all face: “Art can be so many different things to different people.

“Success is measured in many different ways. Art therapy can be for everyone.

“This is the first time these paintings have gone on display, and they are accompanied by a series of mixed media paperwork that were made after losses. While these pieces are more figurative with recognisable imagery, they are still very abstracted works.”

Drop by to view Fintan’s most recent work at the exhibition launch in the Atrium, County Buildings, Mullingar on Thursday April 3 at 6pm, when official opening by Rob McDermott, founder of the ‘wtf gig guide’.