The paintings, all of them oil on canvas, capture your attention and then the questions begin to flow. Why is Counihan’s meditative exploration of Michangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” named “Oedipus Reborn” and why does the virile muscularity of Adam give way to the slender figure of an adolescent boy, his right leg marred with wounds? Who is the baby lying across the vestments of God and who is the shadow of a female figure God is embracing with an elongated left arm? The questions generate a search for clues in a gallery full of compelling images.
In “The Tyger,” the triptych’s middle painting may be informed by the poem, “The Tiger” by William Blake, who wonders at the mystery of the Creator: “Did he who made the Lamb make thee?” In the same panel a nude male figure forms a circle with an extra pair of arms and legs and brings to mind Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of “The Proportions of the Human Figure.” Counihan’s figure has outstretched arms bound to boards, perhaps an allusion to Icarus, the Greek boy who melts his waxed-on wings from flying too close to the sun and falls to his death into the sea.
Other paintings are informed by traditions of the ancient Orient with a warrior and a great dragon in one painting, and costumed women in others. These paintings outside of Western cultural references baffle the viewer afflicted with standard American informational underload.
Brian Counihan has been called “brilliant,” and it would be difficult to argue with that reckoning after seeing his “Paraphernalia for Passages.” Notes and a bio by the artist explain that “Passages” is life’s journey, and “Paraphernalia” the cultural stories and images we use to ward off harm, similar to medals and icons (rabbit’s foot?) for spiritual security in other times and places. Counihan’s presentations of contemporary “phylactics,” or better yet –“spiritual prophylactics” — give pause as we acknowledge the mysteries of life while fame and fortune, tragedy and catastrophe pick and choose among each generation.
As a newcomer, Brian Counihan is counted as a prize amongst us after a journey that began at birth in the Republic of Ireland, graduation from college, and the winning of Ireland’s first National Portrait competition. The upcoming artist had work being exhibited internationally when he came to New York, the heart of the art world. He met his wife Jeanne there and was off to Chicago where he earned two more degrees at Northwestern University. Lexington, VA was next, where he directed the Jordan House Center for the Creative Arts and taught studio art at Lynchburg College and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.
Counihan is now in Roanoke, where he teaches art and humanities at Community High School for Arts & Academics, and is a leading proponent of art education in the community, including the Annual Marginal Arts Festival, which he founded and directs. Best of all, he’s still a working artist, a passion around which his life revolves, along with his wife and young son.
Don’t miss Brian Counihan’s work at Olin Hall Galleries at Roanoke College on High Street through April 9th. There is no cost for admission. Hours are daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
By Gail Lambert [email protected]