Two new exhibitions will open next week at Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards: Through Others Eyes by Lauren Ciara McCullough and slow still life by Savannah Dodd.
Lauren Ciara McCullough, a recent graduate of MFA Fine Art at Ulster University, is inspired by her surroundings. Her work aims to convey the very being of nature through the presentation of landscape as abstraction.
Through Others Eyes is inspired by her current practice and her recent residency at Ballinglen Arts Foundation in March 2023, supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council.
Speaking about her exhibition, Lauren says; “I have an eagerness to capture the ethereal nature of the Irish landscape which was ignited when I relocated to the countryside in Newtownards. My new surroundings drastically impacted my practice, from working plein-air, to just living and walking in the scenic beauty.
My intention would be to connect with the local people through the exhibition, by the feeling that they are immersed by the sense of familiarity and view the perception of this land through my eyes and others. I will respond to a body of resource material which will be displayed alongside my work. This material will describe a space where the other felt a spiritual connection to this land.”
This exhibition previews in The Georgian Gallery on Thursday 31 August, 7pm – 9pm
slow still life is an exhibition of photographs and anthotype photograms by Savannah Dodd.
Since 2020, Savannah Dodd’s photographic practice has transitioned away from the digital toward ecological analogue methods. Influenced by the process of naturalising as an Irish citizen, her recent work explores ideas of place, belonging, and connection to the land.
slow still life is about reconnecting with nature and slowing down to pay closer attention to the ordinary. It is also about unlearning perfectionism and the urge to be productive. Although this project speaks to universal themes, there is specificity to this work: the photographs were taken around the artist’s home and printed using materials found in the local environment. Avoiding traditional darkroom chemicals, which are toxic for people and the planet, the artist made developers, fixers, and emulsions from foraged native plants, from rainwater, and from seawater collected from Strangford Lough, reinforcing the relationship with the natural world.
slow still life also previews on Thursday 31 August, 7pm – 9pm in The Sunburst Gallery.
The same evening also sees the launch of the AND Arts Network, an opportunity for likeminded artists and makers to meet and find out what creative opportunities there are in our borough.
Both exhibitions will run until Saturday 23 September. Admission is free during gallery opening hours.
For more information telephone 028 9181 0803 or email arts@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.