Brian Maguire is an acclaimed Irish artist whose work is inspired by global injustices. His latest exhibition, entitled La Grande Illusion, opened at Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery last month and represents the fragility of human rights around the world.
The last thing I saw and loved is… my dog Ruby. She was missing so I’m delighted she’s back.
The book I keep coming back to… If This Is a Man by Primo Levi. He was held for a year in Auschwitz. It gave me a worldview I needed as a man living on an island on the west coast of Europe.
I find inspiration in… people’s lives.
My favourite film is… The Tin Drum – a film based on a book written by Günter Grass.
My career highlight is… my current show at the Hugh Lane Gallery, La Grande Illusion.
The song I listen to to get in the zone is… when I go to work, I turn off all sound so it doesn’t influence me.
The last book I recommended is… Night of Power by Robert Fisk.
The performance I still think about is… Christy Moore playing ‘Viva la Quinta Brigada’.
The best advice I’ve ever gotten… “if you’re not sure, say nothing.”
The art that means the most to me is… the work of Ed and Nancy Kienholz.
My favourite moment in this exhibition is… there are a few portraits from South Sudan. I remember these people so well.
The most challenging thing about being an artist is… being your own boss! You don’t have anyone telling you what to do or when you need to do it which can be difficult sometimes.
If I wasn’t an artist, I would be… I’m 73, it’s too late for this question!
The magic of art to me is… you can say whatever you want.
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