22nd May 2003

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The University of Ulster next week mounts a major celebration of the art of Tory Island, the tiny, storm-tossed island off the north-west coast of Donegal which is home to Ireland’s most evocative school of primitive painting.

The showcase exhibition coincides with the University’s publication of ‘Tory Island and its Artists’, a monograph prepared by University of Ulster expert Jim Hunter, a regular visitor to Tory since 1957, who considers the windswept island his adopted home.

The book and the exhibition traces the development of the island’s School of Primitive Art, fostered by English artist Derek Hill, who recognised the artistic talents of the islanders and encouraged them to take up painting in addition to the traditional island arts of dance and storytelling.

Featured paintings include works by James Dixon, Ruari Rodgers, Anton Meenan and Patsy Dan Rodgers, the ‘King of Tory’.

Ruari, Anton and Patsy Dan will be present at the launch. Patsy Dan is the last survivor of the original group of four Tory island painters who first exhibited their work in Belfast in 1968.
Author Jim Hunter, who put together both the book and the exhibition, said:

“Tory island has made an outstanding contribution to Irish music, dance and storytelling over the years and this occasion promises to be one of the most comprehensive displays of Tory art and culture ever to have been held in Ireland.

“We are grateful to Holywood and Donnelly for their sponsorship of the event. It is only through support of this nature that islands like Tory can survive during the present century.

‘Tory Island and Its Artists’ opens at the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry, on 27 May 7.30pm, and will be open to the public for one week from that date.

It will also have a Belfast showing in October at a city centre venue still to be confirmed.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk