After creating more than 100 artworks inspired by Radiohead songs, Lewis Crowley may well have cemented his status as the band’s biggest fan in Ireland.
The 21-year-old artist from Drimoleague, who now lives in Bantry, West Cork, has painted an artwork for almost every song by the band he has ever heard.
Some 101 of the themed pieces will go display as part of an exhibition taking place in Ma Murphy’s Bar, Bantry, on July 16.
The event, titled ‘Daydreaming — A Portrait of Radiohead’, will explore themes of alienation, love and inner unrest.
Lewis undertook the challenge to create a painting for each of his favourite Radiohead songs a year ago.
Despite the band forming almost two decades before he was born, he has been a Radiohead fan for as long as he can remember.
Comprised of Thom Yorke, Johnny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, and Ed O’Brien, the group are best known for hits such as and .
“It all started when I was 19 years old and on the bus to college,” Lewis explains.
“I was attending College of Commerce and studying to become an SNA at the time. The song was on my playlist. As soon as I listened to the music I could see the artwork for it.
“Before that I had been painting movie posters but as soon as I heard I became obsessed with the song. I created a painting to go with it and kept going from there.
“Now I have 101 paintings inspired by Radiohead songs. They are just the studio songs as I decided not to cover any of the B sides.”
An artwork might take Lewis between one and eight hours a day.
“A smaller painting normally takes me an hour or two, compared to a larger artwork which might take up to eight hours.
“Radiohead’s music has always made me feel deeply restless, haunted, uplifted, and undone. This exhibition is a way of translating those feelings into paint, colour, and form.”
“The exhibition also features paintings of the album covers which will be positioned discreetly on the walls for fans to recognise.”
Lewis says Radiohead’s music formed an important part of his childhood.
“We always had the song playing in the house. My parents are really happy I’m doing the exhibition.
“My dad didn’t see the paintings up until recently as he’s not on social media. He told me that some of the songs I painted are just as he imagined them.
“The artworks have the exact vibes he took from the songs.”
The West Cork man currently works in a local restaurant by day.
“I don’t think I’d consider art as a full-time career at the moment as I fear the potential for burnout.
“Each day I look forward to coming back from my day job to work on my paintings. I prefer to create art out of desire more so than obligation.
“If I had a long-term goal it would be to work in art therapy,” Lewis says.
“I went to college to train to work with children with special needs so this is something I’d really love to do.”
- Lewis Crowley’s A3 acrylic paintings will go on display at Ma Murphys Bar in Bantry on Wednesday, July 16, from 12pm to 8pm, and prints will be available to purchase on the day or online
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