This new body of work at So Fine Art Editions is a result of artist Shane O’Driscoll’s recent residency in the Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris. Shane spent last October documenting the city with photographs of the shapes and colours in the architecture and objects that resonated with him.
A shop front, street signs, lines on the map all play a part in this new visual language. He then created a collection of shapes that made a visual library to work from, which all fed into his compositions for this exhibition.
The seemingly mundane acted as “open eye signals” which created abstract compositions that act as a diary of his time in Paris and mark a new direction in his artwork.
Shane has also collaborated with West Cork chairmaker Alison Ospina, who specialises in sculptural, organic forms made from natural shapes of the hazel tree. Last year Shane spent time learning the process of making footstools with Alison and a collaboration was set in place.
The union of these two creatives art forms has led to the first set of traditional chairs that will continue in its exploration of organic and hard edge abstract forms. Shane enjoys pushing the possibilities of where his art can lead him and this exciting collaboration has ignited new ideas which are only in their infancy.
Working with other creatives is a regular occurrence in Shane’s practice and this exhibition features a rug designed by Shane and made by Ceadogán rugmakers from Wexford. He has worked with Ceadogán for a number of years and continues to explore the process of rugmaking, playing with elements within the rugs to create sculptural forms.
In July, Shane will return to the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, as he was recently awarded a residency with the Olympic Federation of Ireland and will work with Team Ireland as they take up residence in Paris this summer for the Paris Olympics.
Open Eye Signals, an exhibition by Shane O’Driscoll will run from 01 June – 29 June, 2024
All unsold works will be available from the ONLINE SHOP at So Fine Art Editions.
Shane O’Driscoll is a Cork based visual artist, graphic designer, curator and art director working primarily in printmaking and mural painting. Shane has work in the permanent collections of The National Gallery of Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, Glucksman Museum UCC, and UCD. Shane has exhibited his work internationally and throughout Ireland.
