Emmet KIERANS
Shortlisted 2009

work shown : Bathroom Boy triptych (2008)
Oil on canvas
Each panel 180 x 120 cm
(click on picture to see larger image)

Project

I feel that my work has advanced immensely since enrolling in the MFA course at the Glasgow School of Art, from which I graduated in 2007. It has recently started to attract the interest of galleries both here and abroad but this critical success has not yet resulted in similar commercial success. I have never wanted to compromise my artistic integrity for the sake of sales : I do feel that there is a market for my work and events such as the London Art Fair in January 2009, in which I have a solo exhibition, will go some way in attracting that market. I feel that the quality of my work is starting to slip at this vital stage : the award would allow me the time and space to continue the development and improvement of my work and to continue to show strongly in 2009.

Artistic Vision

My work seeks to personify unconscious aspects of collective identity. These manifestations represent the archetypal characters that exist within the unconscious psyche. In order to achieve a personal and intimate relationship with these archetypal characters I assume their roles. This involves taking on the roles of the characters myself and allowing their personalities to emerge organically, with often surprising results. This experience is then translated to portray not only the physicality of the characters but also their psychological space. Pattern and colour are used in spaces to elicit a subconscious understanding of the characters, and objects are used not only as a substitute for the character but also as an implied invitation to the viewer to enter into the visual space and engage with the work.