Mick Rooney RA (5th March 1944 - 8th September 2026)

Rye Art Gallery was very sad to say goodbye to our dear friend Mick Rooney RA (5th March 1944 - 8th September 2026) our sincere condolences and love goes out to his beloved family - we will miss him but will remember him fondly not only for the companionship, sound advice - humour and warmth of character but for his huge contribution to the world of art a career in painting that spanned more than 65 years.

In recognition of his work we have, with the support of Mick, his fantastic family and friends been able to stage a series of works spanning many years - featured alongside his old friend Louis Turpin at his exhibition ‘September Song’ which opened here at Rye Art Gallery on Saturday, running through until October 12th.

Please come in and see the exhibition and appreciate how Mick Rooney tells us magical stories through these dramatic painting narratives. How his imagination and skill sends us as the viewer, perhaps into our own particular onward journey - into a dreamscape with him.

Thank you Mick for your paintings that we can all still enjoy.

God speed you on your onward journey

Dr Julian Day - Rye Art Gallery