Moments of Being

18 January - 15 March 2025 
Solstice Arts Centre

EXPLORE THE EXHIBITION

Laura Fox, Paul Hallahan, Elizabeth Magill, Colin Martin, Ciarraí MacCormac, Eleanor McCaughey, Eve O’Callaghan, Lesley-Ann O’Connell, William O’Neill, Ciara Roche, Annette Smyth, Mark Swords, Lee Welch

Curated by Brenda McParland 

A group exhibition exploring the diversity of approaches to painting by a selection of some of the most interesting Irish artists working today. The exhibition includes figurative, abstract, experimental, open and expanded painting practices by established, midcareer and emerging artists. Ideas and themes explored include personal narratives, observations of everyday life, the body, identity and place, the natural world, contemporary culture, history, politics, the real and the virtual, and the materiality and essence of painting.

“This image feels retrieved from a formative memory,
from somewhere deep in the mind.” –Rosa Abbott

  • to seize upon greatness

    2020
    acrylic on polyester
    137 x 102 cm

Several of Welch’s works engage with memory, history, and the passage of time. “To seize upon greatness”, for instance, reimagines a 1915 painting, abstracting its classical realism into a fragmented, dreamlike scene. This work evokes memory and temporal tension by placing its subject—a woman playing piano—into a spectral haze that bridges past and present.

  • resist the powers

    2024
    acrylic on canvas
    40.5 X 30.5 cm

Similarly, “resist the powers” depicts Albert Einstein napping in 1933 Berlin, reflecting on a tranquil yet precarious moment as the threat of Nazi Germany loomed. These paintings invite viewers to consider how historical moments and personal memories intersect and resonate today.

  • and being swept along is not enough

    2019
    acrylic on canvas
    198 x 148 cm

Welch also explores broader existential themes. "And being swept along is not enough" captures anxiety, melancholy, and the absurdity of existence, reflecting collective and personal experiences of time and uncertainty.

Listen up.

In this episode, Kitsch Doom chats with artist Lee Welch, NCAD's Studio Artist (2020-21). Lee discusses his artistic journey, from early painting experiments to his current focus on capturing nuanced emotions through minimalist paintings. We delve into his creative process, exploring the delicate balance between control and allowing the painting to guide its own direction. Lee also shares his insights on curating the 'We are Solitary' exhibition, reflecting on the unique challenges and rewards of working with a group of NCAD MFA students. Finally, we discuss the profound meaning behind the exhibition's title, exploring themes of isolation, introspection, and the human condition in a time of unprecedented change.

  • Fog has covered everything night painting

    2024
    acrylic on linen
    108 x 80 cm

"Fog has covered everything" transforms a mundane domestic scene into an enigmatic tableau, using techniques like painting-within-a-painting to challenge perceptions of reality and representation. These works align with the materiality and transformative power of painting.

  • Novak Djokovic reading the NY Times

    2024
    acrylic on linen
    64.5 x 50 cm

In a more contemporary vein, "Novak Djokovic reading the NY Times" engages with themes of autonomy and public responsibility. The playful image of Djokovic, his face obscured by a magazine, reflects on celebrity, public image, and the societal consequences of individual choices, particularly in the context of his controversial stance on COVID-19 vaccination. This exploration of personal narratives within broader cultural and political frameworks mirrors the overarching themes of Moments of Being.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

LEE WELCH

Welch received his BFA from the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in 2009 and his MFA from Piet Zwart Institute, Rotterdam in 2011. He has since been widely exhibited internationally and received numerous awards. Recent exhibitions have taken place at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan State University; Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane; Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León (MUSAC), León, Spain; Glucksman Gallery, Cork; Objectif Exhibitions, Antwerp and Kerlin Gallery, Dublin. His paintings are in private and public collections such as the Arts Council, Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane and the OPW - State Art Collection.

 

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Tuesday–Saturday
11am–4pm

Phone
+353 (0)46 909 2300

Solstice Arts Centre

Railway Street
Navan, Co. Meath Ireland C15 KWP15

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