Kilkenny artist, David Holohan's major retrospective

No artist is as deeply ingrained into the psyche of Kilkenny life as David Holohan from Wolfe Tone Street, writes Sean Keane.

His work, is sometimes, a rather stark reminder of life for those who are on the periphery of society or who have fallen foul of the system or have been forgotten by most.

There are also works of incredible uplifting beauty but overall, his sadness comes through, as he continues his search for inner peace and solace.

Deeply spiritual, this aspect of his personality is also evident in his work and he is a familiar figure in the city, walking the streets everyday, in tune with his own place and his surroundings.

The exhibition will be held in St Canice's Neighbourhood Hall, Butt's Green, Kilkenny from Friday, December 9 to Thursday, December 22

He has, in the past, spoken openly and honestly about his inner demons.

In the quality brochure to go with the exhibition, David said that the great thing about mental illness is that it does not differentiate between class or creed and that you meet people of integrity from all walks of life.

One of the pieces in the exhibition is a drawing of the late musician, Pat Murray who played in the Monday night session in Cleere's pub for many years before his untimely death.

The subject matter varies from Republicanism and the H-block “martyrs” to drawings of the fellow residents of St Canice's Psychiatric Hospital where David spent time.