Stallions Harzand and Invincible Spirit will touch down in Los Angeles next month in the form of two large-scale oil paintings by renowned Irish artist Simon Carman. The impressive contemporary paintings will be shown as part of a prestigious exhibition of Irish art at the Sasse Museum, curated by Ciara Hambly of Hambly and Hambly, one of Ireland’s leading promoters of Irish art.

Hambly says of Carman’s work: “I’m incredibly honoured to be sharing Simon’s work with an audience in America. To stand in front of one of Simon’s expansive stallion paintings truly conjures the essence of the living animal, the light catching the muscle, a shadow cast, the glint of a soft eye. His understanding of horses allow his paintings to breathe on the canvas and the flashes of bright colour or muted architectural detail adds a bold and recognisable signature to the work. His work doffs its cap to the great equestrian painters in history, but is not trying to merely replicate them. It is his unique ability to bring something new to the traditional stallion portrait that makes his work truly stand out.”

Private collections

Carman’s painting, drawing and sculptural work can be found in the private collections of many of Ireland’s racing and equestrian giants. Described recently as one of Ireland’s most talented living sculptors, Simon Carman is one of the few artists whose talent crosses many genres, his work in bronze, stone, charcoal and painting being snapped up by gallerists and collectors both at home and internationally.

Carman has a particular interest in describing the muscle and inherent strength of thoroughbreds and other horses, whether through the likes of the 19-ton hand-carved Kilkenny limestone portrait of Invincible Spirit which delights visitors of all ages at the Irish National Stud, a sleek patinated bronze of show jumping sire Tolan R, or through the modern colour and form on canvas such as those to go on show in LA.

Carman admits he takes inspiration from working with several horses at home in Fermanagh: “I’ve learned so much by just watching our own horses move,” he explains. “Watching them stretch and roll, gallop or give birth, has all given me a great fascination and a working understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the horse, as well as capturing their differing personalities. I’ve been doing a lot of studies of our beautiful black American Post broodmare recently, drawing and photographing her throughout the year and I’m currently working on a new body of work with her at the heart of it.

“I was incredibly lucky to spend a lot of time with Invincible Spirit while I was working on the sculpture for the Irish National Stud and I’m so grateful for that time with such an incredible horse. He taught me so much and is such a fine horse, I have continued to paint and draw him. Harzand will, fingers crossed, be the sire of our mare’s foal for next year, the dual Grade 1 winning stallion really captures my imagination, all that power, it’s been great to paint him for the exhibition in LA.”