It’s not that black, it’s not black at all

It’s not that black, it’s not black at all
A new exhibition by Yvonne Kennan

This work aims to engage the viewer with their relationship to the space, with time and with themselves. It is also concerned with the futility of image making. Rather than represent a subject, the entirety of the work itself serves as the subject. The imagery is created by the configuration of the work. Blocks of varying sizes and colour are arranged to complement and conflict with each other. They are movable, stackable and transient, and directly affected by the environment they inhabit. Changes in light strengthen and weaken the colour differences. Natural light and artificial light affect the negative space between the colour blocks differently. Perception is changed by time and looking. Flatness begins to have depth, a blank becomes a reflection, and the polarity of everything and nothing interlace.

‘The colour in your shirt is darkening, against the paleness of your skin’¹

Throughout the duration of the exhibition the work will be presented in four arrangements. The initial configuration will be devised by the artist. Then, in the weeks following, Yvonne has invited three creative minds to rearrange and re-present the exhibition. These invitees are chosen based on Yvonne’s admiration for their practice and their individual sensibilities: Mark Hackett, Peter Richards and Robyn G Shiels.

About the artists:

Yvonne Kennan was born in Dublin and currently resides in Belfast as a studio member of Orchid Studios. Yvonne was awarded a distinction from the University of Ulster upon completion of the MFA 2009 and studied Fine Art at Limerick School of Art and Design. Yvonnes practice encompasses drawing, painting, collage, photography and assemblage. Yvonne has exhibited in various solo and group shows throughout Ireland.

Mark Hackett is an award winning Belfast based international architect. Mark focuses on urban projects, cultural buildings and research in divided cities. The practice is committed to projects with social and urban purpose. Mark was a founding director of Forum for Alternative Belfast, a think tank advocating for better urban design solutions for the city. Since 2015 his work continues focusing on Inner North Belfast. Before this Mark completed the nearby MAC arts centre with Hackett Hall McKnight.

Peter Richards Gallery Director, has over twenty years’ experience in the arts, both as a curator and as an artist. He has led the Golden Thread Gallery since 2001, is the current Chair of the Belfast Visual Arts Forum and Secretary of AICA Ireland.

Robyn G Shiels is a Belfast based international award winning musician and founder of Black Tragick Records, follow him on Spotify.  Darkness. Devastation. Hope. Beauty.

¹ Gabriel, Peter, Track four, No Way Out, Up, 2002.

This work was supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

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Golden Thread Gallery
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