Greystones Gets A Welcome Drop Of Raine

Bananarama are BACK! TUES3JUNE25 John McGowan

here were quite a few more arty bums on seats than usual at Greystones Library this afternoon for this month’s Conversation With An Artist.

And that may have had something to do with June’s very special guest, one of those rare artists whose work pops up on people’s t-shirts all over the world.

For once, the Greystones Art Centre gang weren’t talking to one another as Raine Hozier-Byrne jetted in from faraway Newcastle to talk about marching to the beat of her own drum when it comes to her creations. As witnessed by the lady’s abstract album sleeves for Ireland’s favourite young soul rebel.

Unsurprisingly, the packed house hung on every word of the 20 minutes the seated Hozier-Byrne spoke for. She was also optimistic about the art group’s hopes and dreams of their own gallery in the town, especially given that Councillor Orla Finn was there to present some buildings currently under consideration by Wicklow County Council for just such a purpose.

Those buildings include St Bridget’s vacant convent, the health centre down by the harbour, and even the Greystones Municipal District’s main office.

Whilst students buried their heads in the library’s free computers, those looming exams sitting heavily on their shoulders, the artists and art-lovers present were encouraged by what they heard. Although, on closer inspection, none appeared to be holding their breath.

Big thanks to John McGowan for capturing the love-in. You can check out the full gallery here.

Full gallery of hi-res pics here, and more on the Greystones Arts Centre Initiative here, agus here.