Daly is known for the timeless quality of his well-drawn and meticulously painted portraits and still life images. Here he offers portraits of people and statuary, and reflections on cities and landscapes seen during his travels.
The exhibition hosts mostly small works and 'studies'. I found it interesting that in some instances the studies are more satisfying, then the larger 'finished' rendition of the same scene. For example in Study for the London Underground the near empty tube station and single track is painted in clear, sharp colours. It is 12 minutes to midnight and we can just see one headlight of a train about to emerge from the black tunnel. It suggests the bright eye of a snake half hidden in its hole. The loneliness of the environment is heightened by the clarity of the painting. In the larger working of the same scene, London Underground, the station clock shows the same time but the train has emerged from the tunnel. Painted edges are softened and the sense of heightened expectation has evaporated in the gentle atmosphere. The same can be said for Paris and the smaller Study for Paris where the finished version sees the response to the scene somehow unravel in the brush work.
Daly's portraits of works of art are interesting examples of the artist continuing to practice his craft. His portraits of people are also interesting, the two ladies depicted suggest two very different personalities. Yoshiko, in cool hues, seems distant and serious, whereas Michiko is warm, sweet and just a little bit shy. Both are fine works and I am certain each is an excellent likeness of the subject. However, the image of Russell in Venice offers the viewer a highly satisfying example of the artform. The sitter's face, off to one side, is painted in strong contrast of light and shadow yet we can read his features. We look past him to see the sunlit domes of St Mark's across the square. But this little gem goes on to provide a charming composition with a limited palette and its tonal play of blues with touches of golden yellow.
There certainly is a sense of rambling going on in this exhibition, and on the surface of some painting. But that only suggests the artist is extending himself, and that's what make the show so interesting.