The Picture Show series explores the cinematic depiction of intimacy. Taking imagery from the film ‘To Catch a Thief’, where, to avoid censorship, Hitchock cuts away from a romantic embrace between Cary Grant and Grace Kelly to a firework display. The fireworks, while signifying a chemical reaction/attraction, also hint at a more intimate private act. The broader narrative of the film centres on the looming theft of Frances Stevens’ (Gracy Kelly) family jewels; the threatened jewels can be read as an analogue for the character’s virginity. Banbha McCann’s paintings repeat these motifs, exploring our emotive response to imagery and symbolism, and unravelling the real from the staged.

All images Ros Kavanagh