Oedipus by Lee Welch | Painting Spotlight

Location: The Gallery at The Complex

Opens: Friday 23 May, 6-8pm

Runs: 24 May - 14 June

Hours: 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm Sat. Closed June Bank Holiday.

Tickets: Free entry, no booking required

A soft yet striking portrayal captures the agony of Vasyl Ivanchuk's loss to Daniel Naroditsky at the World Blitz Chess Championship, embodying disappointment and the fleeting nature of opportunity. Ivanchuk’s ghostly figure, a faint outline hovering over the board, carries the weight of his heartbreaking defeat.

A Ukrainian grandmaster and chess legend known for his creative brilliance, Ivanchuk's visible devastation has been described as "haunting" and "heartbreaking." At a critical juncture, he missed a decisive move, allowing Naroditsky to turn the tables.

The painting's emotional weight is enhanced by its broader context; Ivanchuk’s reaction might reflect more than just the game, pointing to his country’s ongoing hardships or the personal toll of ageing in a sport increasingly dominated by younger players.

The ghostly figure of Ivanchuk reflects the emotional toll of high-stakes competition, reminding viewers of the human drama in chess. Beyond the game, the painting evokes themes of fate and life's unpredictability, echoing Oedipus's journey and inviting contemplation on the complexities of human experience and the acceptance of uncertainty.—Lee Welch

IMAGE:

Lee Welch

epochal defining while one creates beautiful problems (2025)

Acrylic on polyester

180 x 140 cm

70.9 x 55.1 in

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Proudly supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin City Council.

Drinks are sponsored by Whiplash