Firecracker Heliconia

This large scale piece was created en plein air, during my Artist-in-Residency at the Singapore Botanic Gardens in the Summer 2019. It depicts exotic plant - Heliconia. By introducing acrylic border I was trying to create a 3D effect - to make the leaves come out of the canvas, to give the painting more depth. I like the juxtaposition of matt acrylic border and glossy, rich in colour foliage and flowers in oil paint. I was also hoping that acrylic border will frame the piece and give a viewer a greater focus on the subject.
I start the process with a charcoal sketch.


This painting is a part of the 'Botanical Fusion' collection of lush tropical flora en plein air paintings from Southeast Asia.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in Singapore was delighted to support the 'Botanical Fusion' project. It was a source of enormous pride to see an Irish artist's work on display at the iconic Singapore Botanic Gardens.
The new works that Gerard produced during his time as Artist-in-Residence at the Singapore Gardens are extraordinary and represent a unique rendering of the colour and atmosphere of this tropical place through the prism of a great Irish eye and talent."
Patrick Bourne, Ireland's Ambassador to Singapore