“Tír na nÓg”

July 2^nd – 30th

Basement Gallery Dundalk

Artist’s Statement.

“Tir na nOg” is based on a small Church of Ireland National School in Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland. The school is home to one hundred and thirty pupils from forty four different nationalities.  “Tir na nOg” is Irish for “Land of Youth” in Irish mythology where Gods and fortunate mortals remained eternally young and lived in perfect harmony wanting for nothing.

Ireland during the “Celtic Tiger” period attracted a multicultural population to its shores expecting a better quality of life, the modern “Tir na nOg”. Ireland’s population grew enormously over that period and “Tir na nOg” lived up to its reputation until the advent of the global recession.

The photographs of pupils, shot in the deadpan aesthetic, captures the character and spirit within each child, taken in the environment of the school and its grounds. This environment may to us, born and raised in Ireland appear dull, normal, possibly even boring but to these pupils from other countries it is not. Ireland’s culture, mythology, sport and language adorn the walls and corridors of the school ready to be soaked up by these willing minds. I think we should celebrate the ordinary in life.

Initially I thought this series of pictures were applicable only to Dundalk but after reflection I think it is a true indication of life within the whole island of Ireland.

Ken Finegan

Artist Talk by Frances Lamb

Basement Gallery, Town Hall

Thursday 11 March 2010 at 1.00pm

Frances Lambe

“Microcosmos”

March 3^rd. – April 9^th.

Lambe’s work springs from visual research into disparate areas of interest including geography, biology, marine biology, botany and astronomy. This research is informed by my involvement in scuba diving. She is interested the visual ‘inter-relatedness’ of life on our planet. Life forms that exist underwater mimic those on land. Her work contains the counterpoint of opposites;

+ smooth / textured,

+ minimal / intricate,

+ single / multiple,

+ convex / concave,

+ still / moving,

+ microscopic / vast,

+ surface / interior,

+ vertical / horizontal.

Observed effects of weathering on surfaces influences the form and texture of the work.

The sphere, the oval and undulating forms underpin her visual language. The form of each piece is of prime focus. The constructed walls form a taut ‘membrane’ between the inner and exterior space. Holes punctuate the surface and link exterior to interior.

Her abstract sculptural work seeks to explore concepts of stillness, structure, balance and implied movement. On a deeper level her work reflects on our perception of time as it is defined by the movement of the earth, sun, moon the tides and erosion.

basementgallery@dundalktown.ie 042 9392916

Opening hours Monday /Friday, 10.00.am/1.00.pm – 1.30.pm. / 5.00.pm.

5th November – 27th November 2009

Opening Night 5th November 7pm -9pm

Open Mon – Fri  10am -1pm & 1:30pm- 5pm

Basement Gallery,Town Hall, Dundalk, Co.Louth

042-9392916

Basement Gallery is proud to present the work of Dundalk-based graffiti artists Kube and Omin. Painting commercially and as a passionate hobby, Kube and Omin have been painting the countries walls for the past 13 years, bringing graffiti art to their hometown and nationwide, as well as being established on the international scene.

Using a wide range of media, including spray painted canvas, acrylic and oil paintings, photographic pieces, steel etching prints and sketches to fully showcase the vibrancy, movement and technical skill that comes with this very new and rapidly moving art form.

Kube and Omin have painted for a vast array of major companies, brands, festivals and arts organisations. Working commercially doing commissions and brand promotion the pair have been submitting their artwork to internationally circulated magazines for the past 10 years, gaining them work overseas aswell as representing the Irish Graffiti art scene on an worldwide platform.

Graffiti art by its very nature is something that the public see and admire but yet mystery surrounds the rhyme and reason to why and how it is done. Since its beginings in the 70’s, Graffiti art has been a voice for young artists to display their talents on a public stage without reward, whilst risking prosecution in some cases to express themselves.

Using such a wide range of mediums – Kube and Omin hope to visually demonstrate the essence of Graffiti art through their own styles and skills. From sketches used on past murals, to photographs of walls, to graffiti art on canvas – all facets of the artform will be displayed and will give a visual narrative to their 13 years of non-stop graffiti art exploits.

This is the first show of its kind to be held in Dundalks’ basement gallery and promises to be one of most animated and interesting uses of the space to date.  Kube and Omin will be displaying unseen original pieces for this show in addition to painting some of the gallery walls and creating a more unique, open and engaging atmosphere to the space.

This show promises to be fresh on every surface.