THE GIFT, A TRIBUTE ART EXHIBITION HONOURING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF GALWAY’S ANGELINE COOKE SHOWCASES IN GORT THIS WEEKEND

The last remaining artworks by the late and gifted Galway painter Angeline Cooke will be shown at the Coole Gallery in Gort over the August Bank Holiday weekend. ‘The Gift’ exhibition celebrates Angeline’s luminous talent and all proceeds from the sale of her paintings will be donated to the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) and the Strange Boat Donor Foundation Circle of Life Garden in Salthill, Galway.

‘The Gift’ exhibition, at the Coole Gallery, St. George’s Street in Gort, will run from the 2nd to the 4th of August from 12pm to 6pm.

A founding member of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) in 1978, Angeline Cooke from Maunsells Road in Galway underwent a kidney transplant in 1996. The retired schoolteacher enjoyed the successful longevity of this transplant for over 25 years before returning to dialysis treatment. She passed away suddenly in March 2023. Together with her late husband Bernard, who passed away in 2012, they committed their voluntary lives’ work to the IKA’s Galway branch’s kidney patients.

Angeline had a passion for music and was a gifted painter. Her watercolours were often publicly exhibited and are proudly hung in many homes. She encouraged dialysis patients to take up art.

The exhibition is being hosted by Angeline’s niece and fellow artist Toni O’Donovan and her artist husband Sean O’Donovan. Speaking of the event, Toni said:

“We are so honoured to be able to host this exhibition in our own studio. It means the world for us to be able to do this for Angeline and Bernard – this is what she would have wanted us to do with all of her paintings. We truly hope we can sell her paintings to raise money for her beloved charities.”

Eoin Madden, Chairperson of the Galway Branch of the IKA said:

“Angeline is one of the greats. The work that she and Bernard did for kidney patients across Ireland is immeasurable. They both dedicated themselves to improving facilities, be it hospital equipment, haemodialysis transport arrangements, respite holidays, patient aid. They never stopped fundraising to achieve these goals. Even after Bernard’s passing, Angeline was an active member here in the local branch. She never missing a branch meeting right up until her death.”

Martina Goggin, founder of the Strange Boat Donor Foundation and creator of the beloved Circle of Life Garden in Salthill along with her husband Denis said:

"We are honoured that some of the proceeds from the exhibition in Gort of Angeline’s artwork will help with the ongoing maintenance and development of the Circle of Life Garden, a place very dear to Angeline. Since its creation, Angeline supported the garden in every way possible and we were delighted to honour her by installing a seat in her memory at the Garden's 10th Anniversary event last year."

‘The Gift’ exhibition will be run from the 2nd to the 4th of August from 12pm to 6pm at the Coole Gallery in Gort. The gallery is located at St George’s Street, Gort, H91 N702, upstairs over Caroline and Dusty’s Fruit & Veg Shop. All are welcome to attend.