Ex Communicate
Ex Communicate
Oil, acrylic and pen on canvas
1m x 1.5m, 2024
A vivid retelling of St Brendan of Birr’s vision of St Columba, blending medieval narrative with modern reflections, political events, and personal loss. Part of the Always Series (2024) by Jeremy Cunningham.
Available as:
- Original Painting
- A2 Framed Giclée Print
- A2 Fine Art Giclée Print
All come with a Certificate Of Authenticity signed by the artist.
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About This Piece
Inspired by the late 7th-century biography of St Columba, Ex Communicate captures the moment St Brendan of Birr witnesses Columba—flanked by angels and preceded by a column of fire—after his excommunication at the Synod of Tailtiu (c. 560s). The vision led to Columba’s pardon, though he still chose exile, leaving Ireland for Iona, where he founded the famous monastery.
While rooted in this medieval tale, Jeremy’s painting is also deeply personal and contemporary. References to the Israel-Palestine conflict, which erupted during the painting’s creation, are interwoven with the historical imagery, along with a tribute to Edwina, a beloved cat who passed away at the same time.
The angels in this piece lean heavily into Old Testament visions, rather than the softer depictions imagined by Adomnán, Columba’s biographer. The result is a striking fusion of biblical drama, medieval legend, and present-day concerns, layered through acrylic, oil paint, and pen on a 1x1.5m canvas. Signed and dated on the reverse.
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ORIGINAL PAINTINGS
Own a one-of-a-kind artwork. Hand-painted by Jeremy Cunningham, artist and bassist for legendary folk-rock and anarcho-punk band The Levellers.
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FRAMED GICLÉE PRINTS
Gallery quality, black wooden frame with glass. Comes with fixings, ready to hang. Printed on Hahnemühle German Etching, archival rated for 100+ years.
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FINE ART GICLÉE PRINTS
Museum-quality fine art print on textured Hahnemühle German Etching paper. Rich colours, deep detail, and archival rated for 100+ years.