Joaquín Martínez del Fresno Art Exhibition of Wicklow Town Memories @ Wicklow Library

Why a Spanish artist came to Wicklow, to exhibit his painitng featuring scenes from Wicklow Town:

My name is Joaquin Martinez. I'm showcasing a painting exhibition in Wicklow Library from 15th to 31st of July

The starting point, is like that of many Spanish students. I came to Wicklow in Ireland to learn English ,way back in 1986.

Life often shows us, that what you think is your purpose, is not really your true purpose or path in life.

We grow and develop as a person, learning different traditions, different ways of living and different ways of thinking….

It’s absolutely amazing when I look back to the past and realise that English, was just the pretext to my learning but I didn’t know that then.

The story began with the opportunity of meeting a host family, some of you will know them, The Cannon Family. Joan, Sean, their children & a home called “Homeside” opposite St. Patricks Church.

As I returned to Wicklow yearly, the Cannon family travelled to Cádiz, Southern Spain in October of every year …A strong friendship formed between the family’s that lasts to today.

When Joan passed away, Sean did not return to Spain that October. Nor did he return for many years.

Finally, he returned for his 90th Birthday. Sean, his lovely daughter, Julie, her husband and the grandchildren decided to fly to Spain and spend that landmark occasion with my family.
There were no words to describe it, except a family reuniting, recognising that special bond.

Since then, I have been back many times, bringing Spanish Students to learn English in Ireland. Bringing my own children home to Wicklow.

In 2020 Covid 19 stopped us all, my own father received a fatal diagnosis and I started to paint again. My thoughts and memories kept coming back to Wicklow.

And so, the idea of painting familiar scenes of Wicklow and exhibiting them in Wicklow was formed. And successfully, very successfully, I showcased in 2023 in Wicklow Library.

This second exhibition is, again, a love letter to the town that helped form me, the town I feel at home in, the town that welcomed me, way back in 1986.

The lessons I learned, were not only in English. But life lessons about friendship, family, cultural exchange, travel and truly expressing yourself.

These scenes are familiar to us all but they resonate far below the surface.

Hope you really enjoy this exhibition and are touched by the sensitivity of the paintings. Scan the QR code beside the painting to hear the song that accompanies it.