With both COVID-19 lockdowns last year thwarting several of Conroy’s original exhibition dates, the Torrumbarry artist will finally unveil more than a year's worth of his pieces on Wednesday night.
“I used to be a bit more of an optimist, and with everything being cancelled, at the beginning, you’d get into the habit of getting your hopes up,” Mr Conroy said.
“I’m a bit more pessimistic now, so I think I’ll believe it more when I’m there.”
Twelve months on from the original opening to the show, Mr Conroy’s work has continued to twist and turn during lockdowns, with the extra time allowing more opportunity to grow as an artist.
“I basically used this time to add more work to the exhibition, and just get better and practice,” Conroy said.
“I've been adding in pieces and taking some out.”
“The practice work sometimes worked out better than the originals. I think it’s that case of when you don’t care as much how it turns out, it can turn out much better.
A series of figurative portraits painted from photographs, Conroy said his collection had emerged into four sections.
First is ‘The Lost Tommies’, portraits based off recently discovered photographs from World War I and of military figures.
Then there's Mr Conroy’s pursuit of finding more effective ways to paint the body, culminating in an arrangement of characters with plenty of skin on show.
Next is Mr Conroy's political pieces. They neither lean right nor left, but illustrate people’s disdain for the infighting, lies and bullying of governments around the world.
Rounding out the ensemble are further portraits based off interesting photographs, with his caricatures often focusing on the juxtaposition of the beautiful and the ugly.
With more than 30 pieces going on display, Mr Conroy's hope is that people like himself could come and enjoy his work.
“I think some people get disappointed at art galleries,” Mr Conroy said.
“There is that phrase about the death of painting, and usually artists want to be in that high society sort of art world, but I don’t want that.
“I want someone like me to come and enjoy it, and understand the work that is being communicated.
“I liken my work to the artists I saw who got me interested in art in the first place.
“And there is this cartoon element to my work, which adds more interest. I think there is something in it for young people as well.
“It’s not overly refined and it’s not relying on being clever; it’s just a photo. And me trying to find avenues for it to be more engaging.”
Pete Conroy’s exhibition Sitters opens at The Foundry Art Space on Wednesday, March 31 from 6 pm. It will remain on show until Sunday, April 18, with the gallery open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
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