Mary-Louise Browne: GRAND
Mary-Louise Browne. GRAND, 2022. High intensity prismatic vinyl on aluminium panel. Courtesy of artist and The Dowse Art Museum. Photo: Mark Tantrum
Occupying The Dowse courtyard with an unexpected sign that instructs us to think big: Mary-Louise Browne explores the peculiarities of language, while also paying tribute to former Dowse Director James Mack (Galvan Kepler Macnamara 1941-2004), who employed her in her first gallery role at The Dowse 40 years ago.
While signs usually point us in the direction of a particular place, this monumental rendition of the word GRAND beckons us to consider how the meaning of a word can change with the context we experience it in.
In contrast another small, mysterious plaque on the opposite wall makes a grand gesture of its own, which—when translated into English—reads “in memory of our most cherished friend Galvan Kepler McNamara (James Mack), for his love that knows no end”. It was placed there by a community of friends, artists, and colleagues in recognition of one of The Dowse’s most charismatic leaders..
Considering how to honour him in her own way, Browne reflects:
I fixed upon GRAND as a word that is commonly used in the Irish English vernacular. Not only does it mean impressive and magnificent, but it’s also often used in the dialectical sense ‘OK, fine, satisfactory’, which is something of an understatement. I have addressed this reading with scale, to conjure up words such as ‘memorable, distinguished, celebrated’ as a tribute to the very illustrious James Mack, who in later years embraced his Irish heritage and changed his name by deed poll to Galvan MacNamara. The use of GRAND here is an intrinsic feature of both the man and the word.
Throughout her career, Browne has built a reputation as an artist who uses words as one of her primary mediums. She enjoys creating ambiguous encounters with language that encourage us to consider what these words mean on a wider social level.
The Dowse Art Museum | 1 August 2022 - 21 May 2023