LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.-Irish artist Guggi and Bono attend the opening of the new collection by the artist at the Osbourne Samuel Gallery on December 1, 2004 in London. This is the first London exhibition to one of Ireland's best known painters. Guggi turned to painting in 1986 at the age of 27. His unique Dublin background has been well documented, as has his life-long friendship with Bono of U2 and his experienced in the 1980s with the pivotal band, the Virgin Prunes. He is largely self-taught and has exhibited widely in Ireland and in 200 had a notable sell-out show with Tony Shafrazi in New York.

Distinctive representations of bowls and vessels appear consistently throughout his work, some quite sparingly depicted, others richly drawn using an extensive palette of glowing colours. Guggi's work has an immediate appeal but on closer inspection is multi-layered and intricately composed, the various forms in close harmony, the motifs perfectly balanced.