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Home What is Walsall's New Deal? Themes Area Map Newsletter Project Updates Staff Events New Deal Documentation Links Job Vacancies Contact Site Map |
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ex-puppeteer 'shows his hand' at painting.... Gerry Mahoney ex-puppeteer / director of the Merlin Puppet Theatre will be showing his work at the Blakenall Village Centre's New Atrium Gallery from Friday 6th July until Saturday 11th August. Gerry was born in Kilkenny in the Republic of Ireland until his family emigrated to England, growing up in south Birmingham. On leaving school he spent a couple of years travelling the world as a Merchant Navy seaman. In the mid 1960's he attended Bournville School of Art, followed by three years at Cardiff College of Art. In the early 1970's, shortly after the Biafran genocide, Gerry went to Nigeria and taught Art at a Government Girls Grammar School. Whilst there he became addicted to collecting folk-art masks and carvings, an interest which has stayed with him ever since. Back in the UK, Gerry taught Art at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Walsall. In 1976 he left teaching and formed the Merlin Puppet Theatre. Over the next fifteen years, the theatre performed in thousands of primary schools, theatres, libraries, garden festivals, trades union events, and at Number 11 Downing Street for three consecutive Christmases. Another change of direction in the early 1990's saw Gerry travelling the United States mid-west for a couple of years as a folk singer of Irish ballads, followed by a 12 month contract at the Cork Opera House in Southern Ireland as puppeteer in residence. 1996 Gerry returned to Walsall Local Education Authority where he was offered the job of Education Representative for Walsall Youth Offending Team, eventually taking early retirement in 2004, when he and his partner moved to France. The paintings and drawings on display are of the Loire and Charente Regions of France, the result of his time over there. The paintings reflect his interest in landscape, buildings and Romanesque churches. His charcoal drawings seem to reflect a foreboding and sinister presence - full of unease and darkness. His colour images reveal a lighter aspect, but still retain a modicum of menace. If you are interested in showing your work please contact Andy Bradley or Sally Gamston on 01922 712858. Ends..... Photo opportunities are on Monday 2nd July 10.00 am in the New Atrium Gallery at the Blakenall Village Centre, Thames Road, Blakenall, Walsall. You are welcome to attend the Private View that will take place on Thursday 5th July, 5.00pm until 7.00pm. (Please let either Sally or Andy know that you can come along). For more information about Walsall's New Deal for Communities initiative please contact Andy Bradley on 01922 712858. E mail: bradleya@walsall.gov.uk Walsall's New Deal for Communities is a regeneration initiative working in the areas of Blakenall, Bloxwich and Leamore. The initiative received a £52 million Government grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government (formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) to be spent on sustainable regeneration spread over a ten year period that commenced 2001. |
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