CLONMEL-based artist David Baird is taking a new approach to his work with his latest exhibition Here and There which shows this Sunday January 24th from 11am to 6pm at the Golden Mirror Suite, Leopardstown Racecourse on BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle day.

Baird uses the term artarazzi to describe his latest work which veers from his more established subject matter of dogs and horses, to the people who inhabit the world of horse racing, painting from photographs surreptitiously taken at race meetings.

Baird’s work is meticulously executed, with simple composition belying intimate detail. The images of people float on blank backgrounds, echoing the cigarette cards the artist swapped as a child, and every aspect of colour, shade and texture of the person is portrayed with life-like precision.

David explains: “I have always felt very fortunate to be at the fringe of this fantastic equine industry. Nowadays, there can be few sports, professional and otherwise, where you can move reasonably freely among participants while they go about their business. During the summer at Ballindenisk, I just happened across Sir Mark Todd washing a set of boots in a black plastic bucket. Thirty feet away, Michael Ryan stood laughing on his mobile while, in the other direction, a small child hung grimly onto a pulling black and white terrier. It’s all there for me, an endless seam of moments.”

For access as a guest to the Golden Mirror Suite at Leopardstown Racecourse please contact the artist through email davebairdart@gmail.com or telephone 087 7524878.