The Wexford Arts Centre Presents
Still.Life
A group Exhibition of Work by;
Amanda Doran, Maria Levinge, Martin Redmond, Mary-Ruth Walsh, Patricia Robinson & Tony Robinson
18th June – 14th July 2018
Exhibition Opening: Saturday 16th June at 3pm
Listed as one of
’Four essential visual art exhibitions to see in Ireland this week’
Saturday 23rd June 2018 by Aidan Dunne
for the Irish Times
This June, The Wexford Arts Centre is proud to present a body of work by six Wexford based artists in, Still.Life. This exhibition presents the art form of still life through an array of styles & various perspectives.
Amanda Doran calls on inspiration from depictions of beauty in various ancient cultures, Religions and their artistic representations. Amanda has echoed this Tongue in cheek representation through vibrant colours and definitive brushstrokes. “…the style of clothes we wear, the accessories and embellishments we choose and how we use these items to express ourselves” Amanda’s subject choice reiterates the feminine aspect to her work in her still life painting.
Maria Levinge’s principal medium is oil on panel or paper, egg tempera and graphite drawings. Taking inspiration from light, weather and season “In my work I am engaging with stillness, finding quiet, stepping away from the 24/7 lifestyle going to a timeless space. Providing focus of meditation.” This delicate approach can be seen in Maria’s work in the style of paint application and the softened pastel tones.
Martin Redmond’s highly realistic still life “attempts to rekindle interest in the ordinary and commonplace. Objects whose aesthetic qualities we have come to habitually overlook and have developed a tendency over time to only see for their practical value.” His White Bag invites the viewer to examine the ordinary and “transforms the object we have come to overlook or pass off as merely mundane as something to be reconsidered and seen afresh.”
Mary Ruth Walsh’s work explores buildings from frenetic shopping centres to the desolate loneliness of empty spaces and how architecture affects the way we move and
behave in the urban environment and the influence of environment on identity. “The work is not meant to illustrate but rather to engender ideas of why and for who the spaces are created.” The influence of Walsh’s work reminds the viewer of what can be viewed as still life.
Patricia Robinson, having described herself as an “amateur artist”, Patricia brings a sweet addition to this exhibition, exquisitely detailed macarons vibrant colours set to entice viewers from all angles.
Tony Robinson’s love of traditional materials is predominantly portrayed in his still life work
“for its solitary contemplativeness, its convenience in the studio and the technical challenges it affords, I do enjoy it very much.” Robinson’s tactful application results in an ambient collection of work.
Still.Life will run from Monday 18th June to Saturday 14th July 2018 & will be accompanied by the Doodle Studio in the upper gallery which provides a space to react and respond to the work on display. The Doodle Studio this year boasts a wall mural painted by Enniscorthy based artist Laurence Dunne.
