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.