Irvine artist on new exhibition, cancer diagnosis, and possible HAC closure
Graham McKean's new exhibition entitled Sex, Drugs and Sausage Rolls opens at the Irvine Harbour Arts Centre today.
Last updated 18th Jan 2023
Local Irvine artist Graham McKean says it feels right to be coming ‘home’ to showcase his new art exhibition entitled ‘Sex and Drugs and Sausage Rolls’.
Opening at the Harbour Arts Centre (HAC) in his hometown today, the new art exhibition explores themes of humour, addiction, love and loss through a colourful collection of over 70 paintings that a re a culmination of Graham’s work over the last 27 years.
Graham has been speaking with West FM ahead of it’s first day today and it’s launch day on Saturday 21 January.
He’s telling us how good it is to showcase his work on a local level, how his recent cancer diagnosis changed his outlook and encouraged him to put his life’s work on display.
'It's nice to be home'
He said: “Up until recently, I’ve had my sights on different venues, and I have had shows in London and New York. But I just think it is really nice to come home at the end of the day and that’s what I’m really looking forward to.
“Personally speaking, I’m really pleased it’s going ahead because I was told I have cancer just before Christmas a few months ago, and that’s really put a lot of things into perspective as I’ve being changing my plans for the future.
“I would just love people to come along and if they could feel a wee bit happier from seeing the show then that makes me happy as well.
“Since the diagnosis, I’m probably making my paintings more uplifting and putting more hope into them. But it’s just made me realise if it is in my mind, I need to paint it. Before I might’ve just said I’ll do it one day, but now I’m just trying to do everything today and for the moment.
“For example, my recent painting ‘our castle in the sky’, I like to think there’s hope and a nice feeling to it. It’s two guys sitting on the beach after a shift with a bottle of whisky staring at the castle in the sky and appreciating it.”
Irvine HAC is money well spent by the council
With Graham’s exhibition on at the Irvine Harbour Arts Centre, he also said how devastating a blow it would be to the local community if it were to be the victim of council budget cuts, after the local authority refused to rule out its closure.
He added: “I’ve dedicated my life to being creative and tried to communicate that to other people. For the local community in Irvine and wider Ayrshire, the Harbour Arts Centre is a hugely important place.
“I just hope the council can realise it is money well spent.”
Graham has works in public and private collections worldwide and you can find out more online at www.graham-mckean.co.uk
Sex and Drugs and Sausage Rolls runs from January 18 to March 4 in the HAC Main Galleries, Harbour Street, Irvine and entry is free.
A private viewing will take place on Saturday, January 21, from 2pm to 3.30pm. All are welcome and refreshments will be provided.