Bruce Arnold

Critic of Public Affairs, writing about art, theatre, music and politics

The Yeats Clan Were Not One Big Happy Family

This new book paints a distorted picture of their life

Declan Foley's collection of essays on Jack Yeats, together with selected letters, is an agreeable omnibus volume with the declared purpose "of introducing Jack B Yeats to a new generation". The letters of the title, mainly from John Butler Yeats to Jack but including early letters which Jack wrote to Sarah Purser, are interspersed through the text. The rest of it consists of essays, very varied in content and quality. Read More...

The Spirit of the Hare Bounds On

Barry Flanagan's death is a great loss to the art world

Barry Flanagan's death deprives Ireland of a generous artist whose legacy for us stands on the forecourt of the Irish Museum of Modern Art and in the collection of the Municipal Gallery of Art in Parnell Square. Barry's impact, particularly on the city of Dublin during the summer of 2006, was immense, with major works lining O'Connell Street and a wonderful exhibition in the museum grounds and central courtyard. He gave generously and selflessly, starting not long after he moved to Ireland about 10 years ago. Read More...