In a career spanning 35 years a substantial period of Gleason’s art practice has been played out against the back-drop of the Northern Ireland troubles. The feelings the artist had at the time were, you either dealt with it or not-a personal choice.

Gleason’s approach was oblique, to try and understand human nature and the human condition and society under extreme stress, the loss of human life and in the end event the road to conflict resolution and power-sharing. He feels we were a microcosm of much larger events which can be seen in the wider world to the present and perhaps the works could be of artistic value to others in similar situations.

His work has absorbed many influences over the years and artists Gleason has admired include Picasso, Matisse, Bacon and Beuys.

He feels his work is at its most complete when a balance is struck between image and concept.

Image Details

Beyond the Pale

1988

Oil on canvas

183cmx139cm

 

Drummer Boy

1986

Mixed on paper

136cmx80cm

 

Potato Field

1989

QQ Galeria, Krakow, Poland

 

Self Contained

1988

Oil on canvas

195cmx147cm

 

Stalemate

1988

Oil on canvas

183cmx137cm

 

Visual Tension

1991

Ash Gallery, Edinburgh

Photo: David Petherick