Exhibition of Northern Michigan Photographer James Galbraith's Irish Collection at National Library of Ireland

James Galbraith was a close friend of the Northern Michigan Artists Market. He was an amazing photographer. We have displayed and sold his photographs. His wife Susan was a part owner of the Market and still comes by regularly to swap stories and buy Northern Michigan art.

Susie stopped by today and told us about her recent trip to Ireland. The National Library of Ireland recently acquired a large collection of Jim's photographs taken taken during his visits to Ireland in 1970, 1978 and 1997. Susie was there to attend the opening of the library's exhibition, D. James Galbraith's Ireland 1970-1977.

The exhibition displays a selection of these photographs that capture Irish daily life in rural areas and small towns and villages in Cork, Kerry and Clare. The images reveal the flavor of life in the pubs, on the streets and in the traditional Irish music scene.

This collection of photographs may be Irish but Northern Michigan claims Jim as one of its artistic treasures. He was born in 1930. He worked as a photographer for the U.S. Air force and then several Michigan newspapers. He is most famous for his portraits (like the obviously American one on the right) that are almost biographical in the insights they reveal about the character of his subjects, ordinary and famous.

Kudos to Susie. I know you were moved by a sense of a renewed partnership with Jim as you worked hard to help the National Library of Ireland preserve these wonderful photographs and stage this exhibition. I am warmed by the chance to revisit my memories of a great man and an remarkable Northern Michigan artist.

The exhibition is in Dublin and runs through June 2, 2009, so there is still time to make your plans and go see it.