Banner: Knocknarea at Sunset.
Kerbstone 52.
Kerbstone 52, the 'horned' summer solstice sunset stone at the rear of Newgrange. This stone has a very bovine presence. It is positioned directly opposite the Entrance stone. Illustration © Padraig Conway.

The Art of Padraig Conway

Padraig tracing the megalithic art from Cairn T at Loughcrew.
Padraig tracing the megalithic art from Cairn T at Loughcrew.

Padraig Conway is a mid-career artist and master printmaker based in Galway. The enigmatic language of the ancient petroglyphs of Europe and especially Ireland are the basis for much of the explorations he has undertaken and he has revisited the artworks contained at Loughcrew many times over the years.

Padraig working at the State Fair in Sacramento, CA.
Padraig working at the State Fair in Sacramento, CA. Illustration © Padraig Conway.

In his recent work as a printmaker, he engages in traditional methods of making, utilising papers and presses. He has abandoned the use of graphic inks in order to highlight the embossed markings which he transfers to paper. This is also a means of preserving the integrity of the visual source from which he derives the markings and to transform arcane symbolism derived from ancient structures into contemporary expression.

Sheela-na-Gig print.
Sheela-na-Gig print. Illustration © Padraig Conway.
Illustration of the Entrance Stone at Newgrange.
The Entrance Stone at Newgrange. Illustration © Padraig Conway.