Clare artists group host exhibition and artist talk at Ennistymon gallery
Clare artists to host collective exhibition at Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon
"Beyond Brushstrokes: Between Matter and Memory," curated by Sara Foust at the Courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon, will present an engaging new movement of painters emerging in rural Co Clare.
This exhibition, featuring artists Matthew Mitchell, Kaye Maahs, Sara Foust, Trudi Van Der Elsen, Marianne Potterton, Gerry O’Mahony, and Mary Fahy, explores the evolving landscape of painting, where traditional techniques meet innovative expressions.
The preview and opening reception will take place at 7pm on Friday, January 12 at at the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon. There will also be an artists talk on Saturday, January 20, and a curators tour on Saturday, February 10.
The exhibition showcases a departure from conventional painting, embracing experimental mark-making that captures both the physical and emotional landscapes.
Each artist brings a unique approach: from Matthew Mitchell’s clay paint that mirrors the geological forms of Clare, to Trudi Van Der Elsen’s electric waterscapes, that are each evolving the expectations of the form and shaping it in unique ways.
Sara Foust, both curator and featured artist, emphasizes the physical in painting, exploring the depth and movement of the medium.
"This exhibition is about the physical act of making marks in painting, from subtle techniques like scumbling to more dynamic methods like flicking or flinging paint. It's fascinating to see how each artist's gestural movements create a record of their creative process," she said.
The exhibition invites viewers to experience the intricate dance between the physicality of art (the matter) and its ability to convey and evoke psychological, emotional, and historical narratives (the memory).
This exhibition is a celebration of the diverse and innovative approaches to painting emerging in Clare. It invites viewers to experience the artists' unique perspectives and the emotional and cultural narratives they convey through their art.
The exhibition will run from January 12 until February 2, 2024.