BELFAST artist Connor Maguire returns to his home town with an new exhibition of work, showcasing a range of portrait drawings and woodcut prints of familiar landscapes.
Maguire has won critical acclaim for his artwork in Britain, this year being shortlisted for the BP Portrait Awards and shortlisted as artist of the year 2017 in association with Artist & Illustrators magazine, following an exhibition in London's Mall Galleries.
His latest solo exhibition, in east Belfast's Framewerk gallery, include portraits, charcoal and chalk drawings as well as a number of experimental works on wood.
"Working freehand, I carve the image in reverse almost like that of a negative of a photograph as whatever you print from the carved wood will produce a mirror image on the paper," he explains.
"I ink up the finished carved wood block using a roller and place it in my etching press where pressure is applied. It's not until you peel back the paper that you see what impression is left on the paper."
:: Connor Maguire: Paintings, Drawings and Woodcuts takes place in the Framewerk Gallery, Newtownards Road, Belfast until April 22. He is also involved in an upcoming group exhibition at the Belfast Harlequins club, from April 26-30.
