REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY DENIS C. HURLEY
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY DENIS C. HURLEY ON WEDNESDAY 20 MAY, 1998
It gives me great pleasure to be here at the Marino Institute of Education to open this exhibition of the work of Brother Denis Hurley – a man who has dedicated his life to art – and to teaching art – and who has had to overcome many obstacles in the pursuit of his art – most recently – as a kidney patient and a transplantee.
This exhibition is really a celebration of Denis’s work – and his new lease of life as a kidney transplantee. It will also be an inspiration to those who are suffering from ill health – and who may be facing the trauma of major surgery. It will serve as a ray of light in their lives – as an encouragement to them to learn for his experience – and to continue to have hope and faith in themselves.
Denis has been part of that great organisation – that made such a significant contribution to education in Ireland – that gave so many young people the grounding to go out into the world – and to play their part in society. The Christian Brothers are dedicated - with a total and unswerving commitment - to the education and betterment of the young. They are not all saints - though there are saints among them. They are - many of them like Denis - men whose abilities would have taken them to the top of any profession - but whose vision for humanity, for God and for education led them to place their lives at the service of others.
I was privileged - through my brothers and uncles - who were Christian Brother boys - to get to know the litany of famous Brothers names - many long since dead. It is important to remember such men - and to vindicate their lives in the remembering. Their lives - freely given - built bridges to futures lived and lived well by many others. They invested themselves in those lives for no reward - other than to give the young the best chance in life they could construct.
Looking around this exhibition - I am struck by thestrength of talent evidenced in Denis’s work – in the strength of his colour and form – and in the expression in his work. His obvious talent would have seen him at the very top as a dedicated artist – and I hope that in his new lease of life – he will enjoy the acclaim and renown he so richly deserves. His experience and development as an artist is well illustrated in this wonderful exhibition – in the still-lifes, the portraits and landscapes - all drawn from individual experience – and all full of atmosphere and feeling. Some of the work on display are drawings from his days attending meetings – where he would always have something to show for his attendance!
Others reflect his personal feelings on the plight of “the brothers” as this century draws to a close. That baring of the soul – revealing of the inner self is what makes great art. By that criteria alone – Denis is a great artist.
In declaring the exhibition open – I want to take this opportunity to wish Denis well with the exhibition – and to wish him continued good health well into the next millennium.