EIMEAR KAVANAGH
BA Hons Textiles & Surface Pattern Design (2:1)
Bretton Hall, University of Leeds 1995-1998
STATEMENT
"My paintings reflect an individual perception of Asian culture. Throughout my travels I have become guided by the ideas, customs and art of its societies. These journeys have helped to develop my relationship with Asia in a visual and spiritual sense and therefore have dramatically influenced the direction of my artwork. The importance of these travels has been to enhance my knowledge of Asian culture - to bring me to where I am with my work today.
My canvas has now become a space for my visions and memories to materialise. My aim is to re-create these atmospheres experienced in Asia through my paintings. In doing this, I can give my visual recollections a more concrete and tangible form. Pattern and texture are my main interests; my collection is contemporary and diverse and draws upon traditional indigenous Indian themes which reflect certain aspects of cultural life. My influence is this art and my work is very much based on this ethos.
Working in mixed media, each painting is produced by firstly placing layer upon layer of paper to create an interesting background texture. This is then intricately built up with pieces of metalic card, mirrors, inks, gouache paints and finally, varnishes to complete a unique and finely crafted piece of art. I have used found objects from my travels - many of the papers used in collage have been collected in India; the use of tiny mirrors has been adopted from the villagers in rural rajasthan; specialist powders have been used from India's Holi festival; and water from the River Ganges has been used in the mixing of my paints"
COMMISSIONS
2009 PRIVATE COMMISSION, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
With Indian Holi festival as a starting point, I set about to work over a 6 week period to complete four paintings; each custom made and carefuly thought out, to suit a private home in Sydney. Since the house is currently under renovation, the paintings will finaly set the mood within the home; these works are to become the focal point of the familys living space and all furnishing fabrics and accessories will match the colours within the paintings.
2008 CD COVER & INSIDE SLEEVE Ray Dunne
Irish landscape, mythology and folklore were the starting point for this commission – linking in with the song lyrics and title of Ray Dunne’s Amidst Bright Shadows album. The main theme of my painting draws on the legend of Bran, son of Irish king Fabel and the story of Mount Brandon, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
2008 SPIRIT OF LIVERPOOL - a chaturangan production
in support of an international conference (held at the World Museum) exploring what heritage means in today’s society. The Spirit of Liverpool tells the story of how after 800 years, Liverpool has become a place where we can see 'the world in one city'. I have undertaken set design and project management for this site-specific performance of dance and music involving ten artists. For the set I created a backdrop, a hand-sewn collage of fabrics which was inspired by the tales of faraway lands in the story and the flowing movement of the dancer’s costumes.
2007 PEPE'S CAFE MURAL, HIGH ROAD, EAST FINCHLEY, LONDON
In fitting with the interior of a Spanish themed Café, this painting was made on a canvas roller-blind, to be revealed (rolled-down) daily at 6pm - the time of change of shift. The purpose of these blinds was to provide a cover to hide the daytime menu boards whilst at the same time, providing a scenic view – creating a more intimate and relaxing ambience for the evening diners.
2005 JAMUNA RESORT MURAL, JHUNJHUNU, RAJASTHAN, INDIA Jamuna resort
I was commissioned to paint traditional wall murals in the style of the Indian Havelli painting, inside a room of a guesthouse. Small miniature paintings and motifs - revealing historical stories and myth from ancient India – were painted over the four walls and ceiling over a 6 month period, working along-side one of the great masters of the trade.
RESIDENCIES
2008 PLANET ART EXCHANGE Pax08
As part of a two weeks artist-in-residency programme in Liverpool, I participated in the creation of The Womb - a monumental installation which is to be developed over a 4 year period, by artists from around the world. Together in a team of 40 artists (of which half were Arabic visitors) we collaborated on artworks with themes that define the differences between our cultures. The concept hopes to promote the art creation through the involvement from different groups of faith, culture and art discipline. The scheduled events for this programme included 3 exhibitions in Liverpool and London.
2005 FULL CIRCLE - Full Circle
My involvement throughout the year of 2005 was in promoting Re-cycling by means of public art installations (using discarded materials) with an organisation of artists. Within this I participated in two group shows (the Bloomsbury Theatre, London and High Street Gillingham, Kent), contributed as a crafts workshop organiser for children and following this, an art competition judge.
WORKSHOPS see picture gallery
2009 KNOWSLEY WELL-BEING NOW worksheet designs
Through Indian dance, music & storytelling Bisakha addressed the physical and mental well-being of older people in the community centres of Knowsley. I attended each session to carefuly observe and record the sequences practiced using photography, video and notes. At the end of the project I designed a reference sheet of diagramatic drawings which became part of resourse pack including a specially commissioned music CD by Chris Davis.
2008 'ME TIME' - a chaturangan project
A community dance project for mothers of children with disability who attend the Everton Children & Family Centre in Liverpool. The plan was to offer the group the possibility of new activities. They would learn Indian dance movements from Bisakha Sarker and alongside their regular dance sessions Bisakha and I introduced other activities such as dressing in Indian clothes and jewellery making.To complete the sessions the participants made a performance for their children and were invited to Fact, a centre for digital arts in Liverpool, for a photoshoot by a professional photographer.
2008 RECYCLE INTO ART - Red Dot Arts
As part of the 2008 Liverpool Arts Biennial Independent strand, Red Dot Arts held a week-long series of workshops based on making art from recycled waste. Taking place in Liverpool Centre for Arts Development (LCAD) artist-freind TessEllis Bridges and I devised a session making hangings for walls and windows made from fabrics, aluminium, foam and other found objects.
2008 THE WAITING PROGRAMME - a Chaturangan project
Utilising a unique partnership between health professionals and the arts and cultural sector, a team of collaborating artists are performing and engaging with people in participatory workshops within waiting spaces across Liverpool. As part of this project, together with artist Uzma Kazi, we organised a ‘bird making’ crafts workshop at Claire House, Clatterbridge, Wirral. This children’s hospice & respite centre accommodates patients between ages of 0-21 with life-limiting illnesses.
2008 RANG BAHAR (meaning 'splendour of colour')
Celebrating traditional Indian crafts making, working with artist Uzma Kazi, a large scale public art project was planned and delivered with outdoor tree dressing and crafts workshops for children. This was featured at Imagine, the ten day outdoor festival for young people at St Georges Hall, devised by the Culture Company, Liverpool.
2005-2007 PROVIDENCE ROW, SHOREDITCH, EAST LONDON
Here I assisted art classes for the homeless and vulnerable in day centre. Advice and support was provided to rough sleepers and the socially excluded. As part of my training I have attended workshops covering mental health issues, drugs and alcohol miss-use, professional boundaries.
