Travels and exhibitions

I have just returned from a trip to Penang in Malaysia and then Australia where I had a chance to visit Melbourne and the current exhibitions at the National Gallery of Victoria. While both places were totally different it was great to see examples of art, firstly in a street setting in Georgetown, Penang, and later in a gallery in Melbourne. I am including just a few photographs here on the blog.  I am hoping that some of the sights and experiences from my travels will filter into my own work over the coming months.

Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

This city is a city of contradictions. On the outskirts of the city there are stunning beaches, in the centre of the city are remnants of formal colonial buildings and in the old town,  a UNESCO world heritage site, there are examples of many original buildings. 

Love Lane in Georgetown, Penang

Tiles decorating the walkways in Georgetown, Penang

Street Art in Georgetown, Penang

Street Art in Georgetown, Penang

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

During my visit to the NGV in Melbourne there were two really interesting exhibition on show. I attended one of their Friday evening summer events (in November of course), a casual affair, where there is music in the atrium area and food and drink available too.   

Firstly I saw, David Hockney:Current.  This exhibition includes painting, video, digital art and drawings.  Also included was the really interesting '82 portraits and one still life' some of which is  shown below.

David Hockney. '82 Portraits and 1 still life' at NGV, Melbourne

David Hockney artwork at NGV, Melbourne

 

Viktor and Rolf: Fashion Artists are also showing. The Dutch fashion label celebrates 25 years in 2017 and the exhibition coincides with this as it runs into early next year.  It has work from many collection and videos of runway shows. 

Viktor and Rolf installation at NGV, Melbourne

Viktor and Rolf installation at NGV, Melbourne

Irish TV Interview from 'Another reality' Laois Arthouse

At the opening of my recent exhibition at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, I was interviewed by Irish TV. The interview was shown on the 23rd September, 2016, in their Laois Matters section. Here is the link to the piece

http://www.irishtv.ie/laois-matters-friday-23rd-september

Opening of 'Another Reality' at Laois Arthouse.

Many thanks to everyone at Laois Arts Office for a wonderful opening to my exhibition and to all the people who turned up to show support.  This gallery is a light filled space, looking out onto a little courtyard where guests were able to sit in the sun and enjoy the relaxed space.  

On the afternoon of the opening Irish TV, represented by Larry and Ciaran, filmed a short piece about the exhibition and my work that will be broadcast at around 6 o'clock on the 23rd September.  After that date the programme will be available on their website which is www.irishtv.ie

Here are a few photographs of the opening which were taken on the day by photographer Denis Byrne. Thanks Denis.

Don O'Sullivan, Muireann Ni Chonail Laois Arts Officer , Nuala O'Sullivan, Mr Tom Mulhall, Cathaoirleach, Laois County Council and Mr. Donal Brennen, Director of Services, Laois County Council.

Standing beside the work 'But it might rain'

 The exhibition runs until the 30th September, 2013.

Culture Night 2016 - RTE Lyric fm Limerick - Music and visual collaboration.

Seven graduates of Limerick School of Art and Design including myself will display our art digitally in RTE lyric fm window at Robert Street, Limerick on Culture Night and until the end of September.

Each of us artists were asked to write about the role of music in our daily creative practice, along with showing a painting.  Read all about all the artists choice of music and artwork by following the link to www.rte.ie/lyric/exhibition

This is what I wrote:

To the unknowing eye my studio appears somewhat chaotic and when I am not painting I spend my time making collages, researching, and writing amid a confusion of material.  But when the time comes to paint and I am ready, I cannot wait to begin.  Starting a new work is the most exciting thing!

My music choices are somewhat untidy too and, much to the embarrassment of my children, instead of listening on my iPhone I generally listen to my CDs on an old Walkman. Everything from Greenday to Willie Nelson have a place in my collection but my favourite, for a really long time, is the music of Puccini.  The music takes me back to my first time seeing Madam Butterfly and to how I was transported by the emotion and drama of the music. I felt as though I was sitting alone in the theatre so powerful was the sensation. Un Bel Di, Vedremo, from Madam Butterfly still manages to do that.  As I listen in my studio, I feel my shoulders and neck relax and this allow me to paint more instinctually and freely.  When my painting day is over, both the subject matter and the surface of the paintings I have worked on tells the story of my day and in part the music I have listened to. 

'But it might rain' My current favourite painting!

Culture Night 2016 - Contact Studios

I am pleased to be part of tonight's event at Contact Studios.

Contact Studios details this event on their new website at www.contactstudios.ie
  
'In our 19th year of operation, Contact Studios are proud to host the Limerick Premier of Seán Lynch’s new film, Campaign to Change the National Monuments Act on Culture Night September 2016, having just been shown in the RHA in Dublin as part of his touring Venice Biennale exhibition, Adventure: Capital.
 As a former member, administrator and longtime friend to the studios, we are honoured to show Sean's work alongside that of our current 14 members. From 5 - 9pm on the evening of September 16th, the public are invited to come along to the longest established independent studios in Limerick to investigate how artists create and shape ideas and artwork, while having a chat and some refreshments in a truly welcoming and enlightening environment.'

Everyone is welcome to come along to this and all the free Culture Night events that are taking place in Limerick.

 

Two new paintings of mine that will be included in tonight's event at Contact Studios.

Upcoming exhibition ‘Another Reality’ at the Arthouse Laois, Stradbally, Co Laois.

But it might rain

I am making my final preparations for my upcoming exhibition at the Arthouse, in Stradbally, Co. Laois.  The show opens on Thursday the 5^th September at 1.30p.m. in the afternoon,  so be sure to drop in for coffee and a bun in your in the area! The Laois Arts office have kindly asked Mr. Tom Mulhall, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council to launch the exhibition. 

The Arthouse, which is attached to the Library, has both studio spaces and apartments, and a light filled gallery space. As always, I am looking forward to getting my work out of the studio and into the space and plan to bring lots of paintings so I can experiment with hanging and install arrangements.  Some of the work I am taking began while on my residency in Achill at the Heinrich Boll cottage at Easter, and to my mind reflects the light and atmosphere of the place – although I could be dreaming about that! 

Another Reality

An exhibition by Nuala O’Sullivan

on

Thursday, 8^th September, 2016 at 1.30 p.m.

Official opening by

		An Cathaoirleach Mr. Tom Mulhall, M.C.C., Laois County Council

Light refreshments will be served

The exhibition runs until the 30^th September, 2016

Opening times: Tues and Thurs 1pm-5pm & 5.30pm-8pm, Sat: 10am-1pm (except on Bank Holidays)

(entry through library)

Wed and Fri 1pm-4pm (entry through Laois Arthouse) For more details contact T: 057 8664033 E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie