John Noel Smith's 2007 Fenderesky Gallery Exhibition Explores Irish Nationalism Through Abstract Painting

John Noel Smith presented a 2007 exhibition at Fenderesky Gallery featuring paintings that engage with Irish nationalism through abstract forms. Each work consists of three distinct fields: a schematic upper register with intersecting folds resembling a folded flag, a middle section of coarse white ground marked by horizontal lines, and a rugged black bottom register visually anchored to the floor. Though non-objective, the paintings evoke national emblems through their structure and color relationships, carefully avoiding direct replication of any specific flag. For instance, Unified Field Painting, Green (2007) subtly references the flag of the Republic of Ireland while maintaining ambiguity, a significant gesture in post-conflict Belfast. Smith's practice recalls that of fellow Irish artist Sean Scully, demonstrating a focused exploration of formal problems. The exhibition highlights how abstract works can carry potent symbolism, revealing national identity as subjective and historically contingent. Christopher Bedford authored the review on May 25, 2007, noting the paintings' emblematic quality and their oblique yet powerful engagement with political themes.