TÓIBÍN, Colm and Callum Innes (artist). water | colour

Tóibín, Colm, author; Innes, Callum, artist. water | colour. (New York): Sean Kelly Gallery, (2011).

Folio; illustrated with original signed watercolors; grey cloth-covered boards, stamped in black; publisher’s matching cloth slipcase.

First edition, deluxe issue; limited to ten copies, each named after a principal character in water | colour (this copy is “Dr. Munroe”), signed by both author and artist on the colophon, and featuring the full text of Tóibín’s story, followed by five original watercolors, each signed by Innes.

According to their press release, Sean Kelly Gallery introduced Innes and Tóibín in February 2010. A long-time admirer of Innes’s work, Tóibín spoke at length with Innes about the artist’s watercolors during their initial meeting. They subsequently continued their conversation at Innes’s studio in Edinburgh over the summer. As their creative connections became apparent and their friendship grew, the gallery asked Tóibín to write an essay in response to Innes’s works on paper, a request that evolved
into Tóibín’s powerful short story “water|colour.” After reading Tóibín’s text, Innes created a new body of watercolors based on it.

Tóibín’s “water | colour” tells the story of Nora, a middle-aged housewife struggling with the recent death of her husband and its effect on her family. Tóibín elegantly weaves a poignant tale of loss, depression and, ultimately, the promise of healing, placed against the backdrop of the unique colors of the Irish shoreline. Innes’s new works on paper are comprised of ethereal squares of complexly layered color
painted on paper with the dexterity and sensitivity for which the artist has become known. The visually charged edges of the squares reveal glimpses of the individual colors in their pure form, giving the viewer an understanding of how the layers interact to create the finished work.