“This painting captures the view from the top of the Ridge of Capard in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, looking back down along a wooden boardwalk toward the flat midlands landscape. In the far distance lies my hometown of Tullamore. The boardwalk, which cuts through the centre of the painting, draws the eye back toward familiar ground—toward home. In the foreground, there’s a rich variety of colours and textures from the heather and gorse that define the terrain.

Growing up in Offaly, the Slieve Bloom Mountains have always been close by. They’ve been a constant presence in my life for as long as I can remember—a place for walking, fresh air, reflection, and even mountain biking. I regularly visit the Ridge of Capard, located on the Laois side of the mountains. A short walk up from the nearby car park leads to a viewing platform at the summit where you get a stunning panoramic view across the midlands and a true sense of perspective. A boardwalk leads out into the distance, crossing what would otherwise be an un-walkable, wild landscape. The Ridge of Capard is a place that creates a tangible feeling of true connection to the land.

This year’s Heritage Week theme, “Exploring Our Foundations,” invites us to reflect on the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us. For me, this painting speaks directly to that theme. The Slieve Blooms are not only part of the natural heritage of the midlands—they are part of my personal foundation as an artist. They’ve influenced how I see the world, how I relate to place, and how I work as a painter. Many of my early paintings were inspired by excursions to the mountains. This influence can be seen throughout my wider painting practice over the past 15 years or so. I suppose I enjoyed the activity of photographing wild mountainscapes and seeking out man-made forms that help to construct compelling compositions—often derelict structures, viewing platforms, walkways, and other constructed elements in the landscape. Close by, there is also an area known as The Lost Village, where the silhouettes of old houses and derelict structures lie. It’s an intriguing part of the world, steeped in history.

Though the painting is rendered in a loose, atmospheric style, it is rooted in a real and familiar location—one that continues to shape the lives of people across Offaly and Laois. It serves as a reminder that heritage isn’t always about ancient monuments or historic buildings. Sometimes, it lies in the landscapes we return to time and again, the paths we walk, and the views that stay with us. For me, the Ridge of Capard remains a familiar place. It is a place to seek not only quiet and refreshment but also to invigorate a longing to make new paintings. I continue to return there to find inspiration as I carry on my journey as an artist truly committed to landscape painting.”

David Fox – August 2025

National Heritage Week 2025 at the Olivier Cornet Gallery

During National Heritage Week 2025, David Fox's text above will feature in our exhibition space alongside 'The Ridge of Capard'. Visitors will also be able to admire other recent paintings by the artist.

Do come along and also enjoy our current group show on the theme of Art Deco: ‘Out of Lines’ which also features a new work by the artist.

Opening hours during National Heritage Week are as follows:

16 August, 12pm - 5pm
17 August, 12pm - 5pm
19 August, 11am - 6pm
20 August, 11am - 6pm
21 August, 11am - 8pm (see 'Special event' section)
22 August, 11am - 6pm
23 August, 12pm - 5pm
24 August, 12pm - 5pm

No booking necessary for visits to the gallery. Free admission.

Special event - Thursday 21 August - 6:30pm:

On Thursday 21 August 2025, a special event will take place at the gallery at 6:30pm. The artist David Fox will talk about this painting and also about his practice in general.

He will be joined by Colin Eaton and Nickie Hayden as well as some of our represented artists such as Yanny Petters, Hugh Cummins, Annika Berglund and Miriam McConnon, who will also talk about their work in the current show 'Out of Lines'. This is a free event and no booking is needed but we would love it if you were to contact us to confirm your attendance. Simply email us at  info@oliviercornetgallery.com.