The Past is Present
A solo exhibition by Jennifer Trouton
Curated by Anya von Gosseln
19th October – 3rd December 2014
Opening: Saturday 18th October at 4pm
Opening Speaker: Peter Murray, Director – Crawford Art Gallery
Alongside one of the world’s most remarkable festivals, Wexford Festival Opera and its accompanying Fringe Festival, Wexford Arts Centre is delighted to present The Past is Present, a solo exhibition by Belfast-based artist, Jennifer Trouton. Presenting work spanning more than a decade, Jennifer draws her inspiration from the examination of memory, absence and loss intertwined with strong familial references. This exhibition will coincide with the festival’s month long, multi-faceted programme.
Working primarily in oil and mixed media, Jennifer skilfully creates work in the trompe l’oeil style; a meticulous, realist technique drawn from those of the old masters. Creating rich, sumptuous imagery of technical proficiency, she lures attention to routine spaces and the discarded commonplace objects of our everyday existence, creating images that are both personal and universal. A concept that is often dealt with is that of the metamorphosis of the Irish landscape and the architectural spaces built throughout. From occupying these spaces both physically and conceptually, Jennifer then engages in a form of domestic archaeology. This frequently involves looking at the banalities of human existence that are often written into and even illustrated by the spaces we occupy. By focusing on the land, the architecture and its interior spaces, Jennifer’s work metaphorically signifies a way of life that has been replaced by seemingly unstoppable technological advances, therefore placing herself in the role of both artist and emphatic observer.
Jennifer Trouton was born in Co. Armagh and studied at the University of Ulster graduating with a BFA in the mid-nineties. Since graduating, she has exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally, including shows in Washington DC, Cuba, New York, Beijing and London. Solo exhibitions include the 18th Street Gallery Los Angeles, Spectrum Gallery, London, The Ashford Gallery, Dublin, and The Millennium Court Arts Centre, Portadown. As well as exhibiting, Jennifer’s work has garnered awards such as the AIB Artist of Promise Award and the RHA Annual Exhibition Keating/McLaughlin Award and collected by the Office of Public Works, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and ESB Ireland. Jennifer is currently based at Queen Street Studios, Belfast.
On a year round basis, Wexford Arts Centre operates a three-tiered approach in terms of delivering its high quality visual arts programme which involves providing exhibition opportunities for recent graduates, emerging artists and established artists, and originating and producing exhibitions and programmes for touring to other venues. During the Opera Festival, the centre showcases the work of more established artists and in the past has presented local audiences and visiting national and inter-national tourists to renowned artists such as John Shinnors, Hughie O’Donoghue, Robert Ballagh and most recently Helen O’Leary.
The Past is Present will open with a drinks reception on Saturday 18th October at 4pm and the exhibition runs in the lower gallery of Wexford Arts Centre from Sunday 19th October to Wednesday 3rd December, 2014. For further information on the exhibition please contact Catherine Bowe, Visual Arts Manager of the Wexford Arts Centre on 053 9123764 or email catherine@wexfordartscentre.ie.
Wexford Arts Centre acknowledges the ongoing support of the Arts Council of Ireland and Wexford County Council.
Gallery hours from 19th October to 2nd November 2014:
Monday – Saturday: 10.00am – 5.00pm and Sunday: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Gallery hours from 3rd November to 3rd December, 2014:
Monday – Saturday: 10.00am – 5.00pm
