Stars of the golden age of Hollywood recreated by Wicklow artist for stunning exhibition
The exhibition, by local artist Shane McCormack, features pencil portraits from that golden age and will appeal to both art collectors and admirers, and of course fans of a time when real movie legends were created – Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford and Judy Garland.
Shane McCormack was born in Dublin in 1970. After many years working in both animation and photography he went back to study visual art at Bray Institute of Further Education and graduated from IADT, in 2014. As a freelance illustrator specialising in portraits from film and TV, Shane has worked on licensed subjects like Star Wars, Star Trek, The Walking Dead and The Hobbit.
His short film, The Hotel, which was screened as part of Culture Night last September, is a fascinating piece of social history focusing on the former Bray Head Hotel – a favourite of the stars when filming at Ardmore, and where scenes from Frank, Breakfast on Pluto and The Commitments were also shot.
The notes for Shane's new exhibition offer a glimpse into the world of the Hollywood greats and a window into the creation of these fabulous pieces of art.
'Hollywood, the power of the image transcended mere representation; it became a force that defined and redefined cultural ideals, personal identity, and collective memory. Hollywood's golden age, with its meticulously crafted visuals, created a landscape where image was not just an aesthetic choice but a carefully constructed narrative.
"The glitzy, glamorous depictions of stars on screen, as well as the staged publicity photos, offered an idealized version of life, full of elegance, strength, and romance. Yet, these images also served as a mirror to society, reflecting and shaping the norms and desires of the time.
'The manipulation of light, costume, and framing in early cinema served not only to enhance the storytelling but to elevate the star persona to almost mythical proportions. In an era before social media, these images were some of the few ways that audiences could form a relationship with the stars, and thus, their images became inseparable from their real lives. The image was both a mask and a truth, a carefully curated persona that could command admiration or critique.
'In examining vintage Hollywood, Shane is fascinated by how the photograph or film frame captures a fleeting moment, one that is forever frozen in time yet continues to evolve in its significance. What remains poignant is how these images continue to resonate today as artefacts of both escapism and aspiration, as well as reminders of the complexities behind the facade. The power of image in vintage Hollywood lies not just in its glamour, but in its ability to shape memory and influence culture long after the original light has faded. Through this exploration, Shane seeks to uncover the layers of artifice and authenticity that intersect in the history of cinema and visual culture.'
Hollywoodland runs at Signal Arts Centre, Bray, from Monday, June 9 to Sunday, June 22.
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