Inside Track

The Irish Field, Saturday, July 12, 2003

Venice, Tipperary and The Turf are the three themes of a new exhibition of Peter Curling paintings to be held at The Gallery, Cork Street, London from September 23rd until October 4th. It is described as being about 'variety and different challenges and the way one artist interprets them'.

Renowned originally solely for equine paintings, mainly of racehorses, Curling has now branched into two new spheres. For the last five years, he has been making regular trips to Venice and has captured on canvas (seen above) striking studies of the beautiful, busy city with its bustling piazzas and gliding gondoliers.

Now the racehorse owner, breeder and father of succesful jockey Sam, is portraying the Co Tipperary countryside without horses. His landscapes reflect a remarkable attention to detail and 'Floodwater, The Suir' is a work of true quality. Traditional patrons and admirers will not be disappointed and, in particular, two pictures depicting a group of two-year-olds working on the Ballydoyle gallops and the first lot exercising from Edward O'Grady's Killeens yard show all his old skills.