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104 George Campbell RHA (1917 - 1979)
Portrait of Taoiseach Seán Lemass
Watercolour, 16.5 x 12.5cm
Signed and inscribed
In 1962, Armstrong, Campbell and MacIntyre returned to Ireland along with the group of
journalists they had met at the Irish Club in London. From his studio in Parliament Street,
Armstrong, began to incorporate raised plaster into his still life and landscapes. Many of
these were exhibited at his CEMA exhibition in 1961. The success of his first solo show at
Hendriks in 1963, where he sold twenty-six paintings,
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was an indication of a new economic
optimism in Ireland. Under Seán Lemass, the Fianna Fáil Government helped to promote
economic stimulus by attracting foreign investment into the country. New business brought
the benefits of corporate sponsorship, which in turn encouraged the public to buy art.
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Armstrong had further solo shows at Hendriks, 1966, 1969, 1967 and 1968.
fig.162: Arthur Armstrong with paintings for his
Arts Council exhibition, 1961
fig.163: Arthur Armstrong
fig.164: Arthur Armstrong in his studio,
Parliament Street, Dublin, 1960’s