Is cuid de thraidisiún ealaíne Chorca Dhuibhne anois é Féile na Cásca, taispeántas ealaíne bliantúil a reachtáltar d’ealaíontóirí an cheantair.
Féile na Cásca is the annual Easter art exhibition organised by Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne. It has been running now for over 40 years.
Each year, as well as pieces from adult artists, there is always a wonderful exhibition of work carried out by primary school students from all over the peninsula, with a different theme to provide inspiration.
Join us for an enchanting journey through the natural world, where art and nature intertwine.
This show showcases the works of two artists who have focused on realism and detail in their representations of nature.
Conleth Gent explores figurative and abstract forms where the works reflect like notes in the underlying harmony of nature. His very personal approach aims to breathe new life into the natural timeless beauty of wood.”
“Kelly Hood delves into the realms of realism and surrealism, where her works resonate like whispers in the symphony of the natural world. Her deeply personal technique seeks to infuse new vitality into the timeless allure of her subjects, capturing their essence with a unique blend of precision and imagination.”
Kilcoole artist Kelly Hood, whose last exhibition, a wonderfully striking collection of cow portraits, was a huge success at Signal Arts Centre in Bray a year ago, is opening the much-anticipated ‘Wood & Wild Exhibition’ at Knockrose House in Enniskerry, offering visitors an enchanting journey through the natural world where art and nature intertwine.
This unique exhibition showcases the works of two renowned artists, Conleth Gent and Kelly Hood, who are celebrated for their realistic and harmonious representations of nature.
Kelly, who is originally from Dingle but now lives in Kilcoole, delves into the realms of realism and surrealism, capturing the essence of the natural world with a unique blend of precision and imagination. Her deeply personal technique infuses new vitality into her subjects, resonating like whispers in the symphony of nature.
Kelly describes herself as “a contemporary realist painter with a constant need to paint the things in life that go unnoticed and which are often most interesting and beautiful. I believe that if we took the time to look more closely at things we would truly have our eyes opened to the beauty in even the most mundane.”
Kelly also points out that nowadays, most of our paints and dyes are chemically mass-manufactured. Her work is strongly inspired by the natural world and using natural pigments is just another step towards a more sustainable art practice. The palette she uses is completely earth-friendly, human-friendly and animal-friendly, and above all a satisfying way to create art.
Conleth Gent is a multi award winning sculptor who works mainly in a wide variety of locally sourced woods. His unique abstract and semi abstract forms are a search for harmony and personal expression. Each individual work aims to bring the once living wood to a new life.
His work can be found in the contemporary art collection at University College Dublin and on permanent display at University College Cork campus as well as in many corporate and private collections in Ireland and abroad.
He explores figurative and abstract forms, breathing new life into the timeless beauty of wood. His works reflect the underlying harmony of nature with a personal touch that captivates the viewer.
Launching at Knockrose House, Enniskerry Road, The Scalp on Friday, November 15 at 7pm, ‘Wood & Wild: A Fusion Of Art & Nature’ runs until Sunday, November 17.
‘Magical and joyful’ was how the collaborative exhibition by artist Kelly Hood and sculptor Conleth Gent was described, following the event which ran in the charming Knockrose House in Enniskerry, until Sunday, November 17.
The exhibition was a showcase for the two local artists – Conleth, from Glencullen, and Kelly, from Kilcoole – who are celebrated for their realistic and harmonious representations of nature.
Titled ‘Wood & Wild’ visitors were take on an enchanting journey through the natural world where art and nature converge. For Kelly, “a contemporary realist painter”, her focus is to encourage people “to look more closely at things we would truly have our eyes opened to the beauty in even the most mundane.” Conleth is a multi-award winning sculptor who works mainly in a wide variety of locally sourced materials, with each individual work bring the once-living wood to a new life.
Reporter David Medcalf was welcomed to KIlcoole by painter Kelly Hood who brings humour to her paintings of cattle and wildlife that have become popular across the globe
Artists may be divided into two broad categories. There are the ones who lock themselves away and expect their work to speak for itself – think of Vincent van Gogh. And then there are those who let the world know about their existence and do not shy away from attention – think of Salvador Dali. Kelly Hood is certainly not a starve-in-a-garret sort of gal.
The Kilcoole resident may lack the shameless publicity seeking tendency of a Dali but she’s certainly happy to promote her talent. Her works are not lying around in some attic waiting to be discovered after her passing. Instead, her paintings – often promoting her love of animals with a dash of humour – are becoming widely familiar.
Wicklow TD Simon Harris paid tribute to a local artist when he opened a unique exhibition at Bray’s Signal Arts Centre.
Opening the ‘Cows in the Hood’ exhibition by Kilcoole artist Kelly Hood on Friday, October 6, Minister Harris said: “It is an honour to be able to officially open the ‘Cows in the Hood’ art exhibition and to pay tribute to the brilliant and award-winning, Kelly Hood who we are so proud lives with us here in Wicklow.
“It is great to see the work of such a talented local artist on show here in Bray, and to see so many people here for the opening. I have to say I am truly blown away by the incredible effort, time and commitment that Kelly has clearly put into all of her work.
“The contributions of local artists and local art to our community cannot be overstated, and I am always grateful when artists choose to share their passion and dedication for everyone to enjoy,” he added.
Originally from Dingle, Kelly is now based in Kilcoole, where her paintings are created, printed and shipped all over the world.
In fact, she has won an Irish Enterprise Award for Best Animal Wall Art Retail Business 2023 and a Lux Life Best Animal Art Portraiture Award 2023.
Describing the inspiration for painting cows while growing up in Dingle, Kelly said: “Living in Dingle, I‘m never short of a willing model.
“I found my first, Paddy, in 2008, and we bonded over a barbed wire fence. She snorted sweet breaths at me through her velvety nostrils, as a globule of spittle dangled from her whiskery chin. I determined then that I would paint her — and one cow led to another. .
“I was unexpectedly drawn to cows when I first viewed them as a subject for a painting. They were not just a herd of cattle; they were individuals with unique and completely charming personalities. The cows’ curiosity and quirkiness makes them a good subject, and because they have always been part of the Irish landscape, we can all identify with cows.”
Cows in the Hood ran until Sunday, October 15.
Some photos from the Opening Reception of Kelly Hood’s exhibition “Cows in the Hood”, which took place in Signal Arts Centre on Friday the 6th of October 2023.