Lot 52: John Doherty (b.1949) McCarthy's Garage Oil on

John Doherty (b.1949) McCarthy's Garage Oil on canvas, 101.5 x 152.5cm (40 x 60'') Signed and dated '06 verso Provenance: John Doherty Exhibition, The Taylor Galleries,March/April 2007 where purchased by the current owner Literature: ''John Doherty: New Twists and Turns'' 2007, full page illustration p15 John Doherty divides his time between his native Ireland and Australia and has solo shows regularly in both countries. John paints realistic subjects that initially appear normal, but on closer inspection a message is conveyed from a forgotten past. The subject may appear as a nostalgic record in appealing bright sharp colours causing us to reflect on its simple and elegant design. Each subject is distinctly different in tone and mood adding its own personality. The images can be buildings that are crumbling with abandoned petrol pumps, Old Bar windows, lighthouses, a cluster of buoys on a quayside, or boats in various stages of repair or disrepair. The titles given to the work can be the key to unlocking the artist's message. Other titles to the artist's work include, ''Alone Again'' circa 1996, ''I've Got Mine'' circa 2004, ''Sheep's Head Light'', 2005. Exhibited at the Taylor Galleries in 2007, John Doherty executed two versions of ''Loitering at McCarthy's Garage''. This work is the larger of the two, and depicts the petrol pump with excess peeling paint but with lesser puddles of rain. The Garage would appear to be shut and its title ''Loitering'' would suggest the pump remains in one place with no purpose. The forlorn appearance of the building and petrol pumps indicate either abandonment or a lack of attention and upkeep from its owner. On closer inspection, however the accumulated litter inside the garage window indicates human life. Perhaps the colour pink represents nurturing and the message is a reminder to its owner and to us the viewer that if we wish things to remain in good order, they need to be maintained and cared for.