Dr Patrick Pye had a wonderful way of connecting with people
By Aura McMenamin
A renowned artist living in Tallaght passed away last week, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual and individual art, reports Aura McMenamin.
Dr Patrick Pye, whose work was known for its stylised Christian imagery, died on February 8 in the Glencarrig Nursing Home in Firhouse, with his funeral taking place in St Mary’s Priory in Tallaght on Tuesday.
The artist, born in 1929 in Winchester, England, grew up in Ireland and lived at the foot of the Dublin Mountains in Bohernabreena for over 50 years. He leaves behind wife Noirin, daughters Roisin and Naoise, grandchildren and many friends.
Pye began studying painting in 1943 under the sculptor Oisin Kelly and attended NCAD. He travelled extensively in Europe after receiving a scholarship, studying stained glass in Holland and being influenced by the Catholic Catalan art in Barcelona.
Despite having clear influences, Pye’s art has been recognised for its highly individual style.
His depiction of man being expelled from the Garden of Eden can be seen hanging at the Bank of Ireland Headquarters in Dublin.
His other commissioned works include an altarpiece, stained glass windows and roundels for a rebuilt church at Claddaghmore, County Armagh with other commissioned works in Maynooth, County Cork and County Louth.
-
Annunciation painting, oil on copper. 2003/2004 (L) and The Thinker, 2010.
He received an honorary doctorate in philosophy from Maynooth in 2005. In 2017, it was announced that his painting, Pity for the King of Friday had been acquired by the Vatican.
As recently as last year, Pye’s past work was featured in the IMMA exhibition As Above, So Below, introducing his work to another generation of modern art enthusiasts.
His daughter Naoise told The Echo this week: “He had a big personality – he always had time for people. He had a wonderful way of connecting with people, he was very open to them.
“His favourite place was the IFI in Dublin – he loved films and the vibrancy of the place.”
Ms Pye continued: “It was wonderful for him to have the exhibition in IMMA last year. His eyesight had started to go and the way it was hung in the room allowed him to see his work up close again. He said it was a spiritual experience.”
Pye was buried in St Mauelruian’s graveyard in Tallaght according to his wishes – where he will lie with notable artists Oisin Kelly (his former teacher), stained glass artist Evie Hone and Elizabeth Waters.
