New animation is a family affair

A NEW animation by local artist Rik Peel has proved to be a real family affair after wife Kerry produced the musical score for the film and their pet Labrador Tomau became the inspiration behind ‘Dog #7’, which will be screened for the first time at R-Space Gallery on May 3.
Kerry, Jacob, Rik, and Callum Peel with Tomau gather at a sneak preview of the upcoming animation of Riks Dog #7 which premiers on May 3rd from 7-9pm at R-Space Gallery, Castle Street, Lisburn US2113-401PM Pic by Paul MurphyKerry, Jacob, Rik, and Callum Peel with Tomau gather at a sneak preview of the upcoming animation of Riks Dog #7 which premiers on May 3rd from 7-9pm at R-Space Gallery, Castle Street, Lisburn US2113-401PM Pic by Paul Murphy
Kerry, Jacob, Rik, and Callum Peel with Tomau gather at a sneak preview of the upcoming animation of Riks Dog #7 which premiers on May 3rd from 7-9pm at R-Space Gallery, Castle Street, Lisburn US2113-401PM Pic by Paul Murphy

Rik and Kerry will be screening the permier of their new animation, Dog #7 at R Space Gallery next Friday evening and they are hoping local people will come along to support the local artistic endeavour.

Family pet Tamou is the inspiration behind ‘Dog #7’. Tamou was rescued by the Peel family from Lisburn Dog Pound after the death of their previous beloved pet left what Rik said was a “dog shaped hole” in their lives. Tamou has had such an impact on the family, and particularly their eldest son, who is autistic, that they just had to create a piece of work that would let people know just how valued the new member of the family is.

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Rik, who is a well known local painter, decided to try his hand at animation, a medium he has been passionate about since he was a child.

“Last year a musician, Bruce Joseph, asked me to create an animated video for one of his songs,” explained Rik. “Once I completed it I knew this was something I had been looking for for a very long time.”

Rik then took on the challenge of creating his own piece of animation, using the backdrop of Lisburn, particularly the Lagan toepath, and their new friend as the leading character.

He also engaged his wife Kerry, a music teacher at the School of Music, to create a soundtrack for the film. “It was very challenging,” said Kerry. “This film will be going to film festivals all over the world so we wanted to make sure we had our roots in it and had it firmly stamped as being from Ireland. It is mainly based on fiddle music because I wanted our nationality to be represented.

The film will have its premier in the Lisburn gallery next Friday from 7pm until 9pm. For further information log onto www.thelefthandcinema.com.

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