Chrome Dreams begins with a sculpture which is based around a sheet of ArtGlass (TM). This completely clear glass acts an invisible platform for a variety of reflective elements. This portable sculpture was brought to a forest in Ballyedmonduff (Dublin Mountains) where it was photographed in a variety of positions. Two of these photographs have been rendered as drawings. These strange and complex drawings are always the goal of this process; in a sense of reverse-engineering the imagery from the initial sculpture.
David Lunney’s artistic practice involves the undertaking of protracted art processes. Typically, these processes start with the construction of site-specific or portable sculptural works in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains. These sculptures are generally created less for their inherent value but rather to provide photographic source material for documentary artworks. The resulting documentary artworks can take the form of prints, drawings or photographs. These images are rendered, framed and presented in a fashion which intentionally obscures and embellishes the original object and moment that they represent. In these artworks, it is often the relationship between representational imagery and its surrounding abstract visual information which infers the process and concept behind the work. The works have a self-contained narrative; the concept and the material process are intrinsically linked in the artworks discussion of its provenance.
In Chrome Dreams, which shows new work from late 2017 and early 2018, Lunney has expanded the complexity of the work, both in process and execution. This can be seen most clearly in the Things Twice at Drumnabober series and in the new, eponymous project. Chrome Dreams is an extension of the ongoing Things made for drawing project which uses handheld reflective sculptures, photography, drawing and other media to create process-driven artworks about the Dublin Mountains. In addition, an important influence on this exhibition has been the artist’s work as a picture framer, which has allowed him to tailor make unique manner of frames and devices.
Until April 14
