VERGE

 “VERGE”

"I am lucky enough to live within walking distance of the Atlantic ocean. The ocean world fascinates me and I see the coast as the meeting point of the known world and the unknown. Humankind has walked on the moon, but vast tracts of our oceans remain unexplored. Yet, we can arrive at the cusp of that world, the edge and peek in, get a glimpse of that other world. The feeling of quiet honour to be able to take a glance inside that other world. This is what moves me."

And of course, the inhabitants of that other world are often birds. To me, they are omnipresent, they inhabit all worlds: the air, the ground, the water. They are these distant creatures of beauty that are so delicate yet so strong.

As such, they are a recurring motif in my work as they represent the boundary between this world and the ‘other’. They are ever present but never close - orphic guardians of that ‘other world’.

My work speaks of that isolation,  the simple untouched beauty encountered on my multiple trips by water and land. Many of the images are created from blended memories of trips by sea kayak to remote Atlantic islands and isolated coves. They are an attempt to capture a moment in time, a split second, the briefest glimpse.

By walking and exploring by sea kayak, my dips into this world I hope, do not negatively impact them. I do not wish to intrude.

I wish to observe yet be unobserved.

A recent residency was undertaken in Costa Rica and I am currently working through images, one of which is on display at this show.  “Poised”.

Costa Rica’s biodiversity was like an explosion of the senses. 

Colour. Texture. Abundance. LIFE!

New work from there is bringing in so much more color than I usually work with and this is an exciting challenge. Contrasting with the cooler more subdued tones of images from Ireland, it’s clear to see the differences.  Ireland’s coasts are more like hidden gems. One has to really search to unearth the riches, they are almost hidden in plain sight. 

A quiet understated treasure.

My work attempts to capture this quiet essence through simplicity and suggestion. 

Eilbhe Donovan

Minimalist Nature Art

BIOGRAPHY

Having obtained an Honours degree in illustration at West Wales School of the Arts, Eilbhe’s work derives from the traditional illustration techniques of drawing and printmaking. Her time in South East Asia is evident in the Chinese influenced style of minimalist ink painting. 

Paintings are created using traditional Chinese brushes and ink  and worked up in pencil afterward. 

Monoprints are created using intaglio etching ink and worked up in ink & pencil.

All work is made on sustainably sourced cotton paper.

Eilbhe has exhibited widely internationally and her work is held in private collections in Australia, USA, UK, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PRICE LIST cahirarts@gmail.com