THE WATERFRONT GALLERY

Friday September 23rd 2011
CULTURE NIGHT
at the waterfront gallery
exhibition of printmaking
by
peter brennan
and live jazz with
ain’t misbehavin’ — at the waterfront gallery, westport

Much anticipated show by artist, Paul White to feature in the Waterfront Gallery, Westport

The Waterfront Gallery, Westport is proud to present an exhibition of new work by Waterford artist, Paul White. The show, entitled ‘Evensong’ opens Friday, 24 June at 7.00 pm and runs until 22 July 2011. All Welcome.

Paul White studied Fine Art in the Crawford College of Art where he was awarded the prestigious ‘Student of the Year’ title in 2000. Since leaving college, Paul has continued to paint and exhibit his work both throughout Ireland and overseas. Working primarily in Oils, Paul White is skilled and experienced in other media, such as, photography, film and animation, which have, in turn, influenced his painting.             .
‘Evensong’ brings together a collection of paintings, which incorporate a self-contemplation of Paul’s artistic journey throughout the last decade. The revisiting of a significant painting entitled ‘Evensong’ created by the artist whilst in college inspires the subjects of this exhibition. Suitably the painting addressed the notion of the quiet contemplation of things gone and things to come, and gave inspiration to a new body of work based on the same theme.
Commenting, Paul White said, “It’s like that moment of calm that sometimes comes at the end of the day, if we can find the time for it in our busy lives, where we look back on what we’ve done and take stock, as it were, and give thanks. We acknowledge the passing of time and realise that although some things are now gone they have fulfilled their purpose and that’s just the way of things. This giving thanks then renews our soul and prepares us to face whatever is to come.”
Be it dramatic or subtle, Paul White’s paintings are heavily atmospheric. The life of the painting through the layering of intense colors and dark shadows suggest a discourse of mystery and intrigue. As if confronted by a film still about to fleet by, Paul’s work evokes a contemplation, which invites the viewer to become involved in the narrative and to engage directly with the painting’s visual language.
In the artist’s words,”A scene will conjure up a memory. A worn out object will be given a history and a portrait in shadow will elicit an emotional reaction. My work then becomes part of a larger, story and the viewer, through their own reactions and associations, is intimately involved in the telling of it.”

aisling smyth – “scenarios” october 2010

“‘Scenarios’, an exhibition of new work by Aisling Smyth is currently on display at the Waterfront Gallery, The Quay, Westport. The show was officially opened on Friday, October 1, to coincide with the Westport Arts Festival.
Commenting on the collection, Aisling Smyth explained: “I wanted to celebrate the theatrical in painting. As opposed to creating scenes, which serve a primarily narrative purpose, I try to create an outline of possibilities whereby the pictorial space can allow the viewer to move though the painting in much the same manner as it is painted.
“The doors and windows in my interiors serve to amplify the drama of composition; juxtaposing elements live together, pointing to edges and open spaces. Recently I have been looking at the Tennebrist movement in painting – the dramatic lighting and gestural compositions, which influenced cinematographers, for example in film noir. My scenarios aspire to depict activity, movement or something about to unfold, such as a still from a film entices the viewer to watch it in its entirety. I hope that my paintings encourage an inviting participatory experience.
Aisling Smyth, alongside artist Peter Brennan, also runs and directs the Waterfront Gallery. That in an of itself exerted a certain amount of pressure on the artist, but also gave her a certain amount of freedom. “This is a very important body of work for me. I felt so determined that my own show would live up to the high calibre of exhibitions that we have been so proud to hang in the gallery.
Also, because it is in our own gallery, I was able to experiment, to show work that I feel is honest and energetic. Having control over the editing of the show was exciting. I am confident about every piece in the show.”
Mark Anthony McGrath officially launched the exhibition with a selection of inspiring music.
Commenting, Peter Brennan, director of the gallery said: “We would like to extend our appreciation to everyone who joined us on the evening and during the arts festival. It was great to hear such positive feedback about the exhibition.”
*‘Scenarios’, a collection of work by Aisling Smyth, is on show at The Waterfront Gallery until the end of October.”

from The Mayo News Tuesday, 12 October 2010

Fragments of Memory – Elements of Light

Artists Notes

Ger Sweeney – The Waterfront Gallery – August 2010

I approach painting as a sort of enquiry, as a proposal to the viewer to engage in its dialogue.

The painting process has become refined with the intention to “make” work that is both a physical object in its own right yet reflective and contemplative in nature. Quite often the completed piece is a “painted distillation”.

The new work tends to engage a broader range of content and stimuli:

- Sound (instrumental music, jazz, traffic, nature etc) has been a source of inspiration for many artists. Can a painting be viewed as – a wall of sound? Or an aural energy field, can it project a mood or “timbre”

• Although light or “painted light” has always been an element in my work, I am continually surprised and excited by its possibilities and symbolism.

•  

• Accessing memory as a sources providing new and interesting results for me. Memory seems to retain the “essence” of an experience, be it an event, a concert, a place or time, an emotion, sound, smell etc. It is somehow “abstracted” in its own right.

•  

• The influence of great works of art on current artistic practises has always interested me. The inspiration, response and dialogue with painters that influence my work encourages me to paint. To get on with it, to evolve.

And then there’s the blank canvas! I engage the overall surface, “the field” or “shallow space” as an overall area of activity. Sometimes the original stimulus or idea disappears in the process of painting, making… new possibilities appear, the unexpected can become central to the finished piece.

Ultimately I want the painting to be itself, be alive, engage the viewer’s own points of reference and perception.

Momentary glimpse of possibility

the constant nature of change.

The mystery of great art – unknowable

but true.

Chance and discovery

the fleetingness of time.

Echoes of places

colours of sound. Ger Sweeney 2010

This installation coincides with “Erratics”, an exhibition of

sculpture and printmaking by St. John Hennessy currently on show at the Waterfront Gallery.

About the Artist

St. John Hennessy worked as a commercial art director, graphic designer and model-maker before turning full-time to sculpture and fine art.

His work draws inspiration from nature and the sciences and his wide range of interests are reflected in work which is often eclectic and employs a variety of materials and techniques. Elements of humour are regularly present in his work as is an emphasis on craft and finish.

He has had two solo exhibitions; Misc. Items. (2007) at the Crow Gallery, Dublin and Anomaly(2003) at the Atrium, Council Offices, Carrick-on-Shannon having spent a year as the Artist in Residence at the Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Manorhamilton. His work has been commissioned by Dublin Corporation, RTE, Smurfit Group and other corporate clients and he has exhibited in many group shows throughout Ireland including the RHA, Aer Rianta, Iontas and the Claremorris Open. His work is to be found in many private collections here and abroad.

He currently lives and works in County Leitrim.

For further information please contact The Waterfront Gallery on 0872927939

St. John Hennessy – Erratics

New work by St.John Hennessy at The Waterfront Gallery, The Quay, Westport

The Waterfront Gallery is proud to present ‘Erratics’, a collection of new work by Leitrim based artist, St.John Hennessy. The exhibition opens on Friday 11 June at 7.30p.m and will run until July 2. 


About St. John Hennessy 

St. John Hennessy worked as a commercial art director, graphic designer and model-maker before turning full-time to sculpture and fine art. 
His work draws inspiration from nature and the sciences and his wide range of interests are reflected in work, which is often eclectic and employs a variety of materials and techniques. Elements of humour are regularly present in his work as is an emphasis on craft and finish. 
He has had two solo exhibitions, Misc. Items at the Crow Gallery, Dublin (2007) and Anomaly at the Atrium, Council Offices, Carrick-on-Shannon (2003) having spent a year as the Artist in Residence at the Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Manorhamilton. Dublin Corporation, RTE, SMURFIT GROUP and other corporate clients have commissioned his work and he has exhibited in many group shows throughout Ireland including the RHA, Aer Rianta, Iontas and the Claremorris Open. His work is to be found in many private collections here and abroad. 
He currently lives and works in County Leitrim.