Dr Susan Connolly’s newly commissioned exhibition GROUND (100 + one) will continue until Saturday, 2 November at the FE McWilliam Gallery.
Starting point
The installation at the gallery will display 100 paintings of various sizes that will inhabit and respond specifically to the gallery space.
The starting point of GROUND (100 + one) was the 100-year anniversary in 2023 of Jellett’s public display of Decoration, which is historically merited as the first ‘pure abstract painting’ displayed in Ireland.
Course leader on the Visual Art Programme at SETU’s College Street Campus in Waterford, Dr Connolly’s interest in Jellett’s philosophical ideas, and in decoration in particular comes from ways of thinking and considering the importance of this image within an Irish context and beyond.
Fragmented perception
Within her work, Connolly has become increasingly interested in our fragmented perception, and the distractedness of experience both on and off the canvas.
GROUND (100 + one) invites audiences to explore the intersection of tradition and innovation, by presenting a body of work that explores how painting is informed by, and performs, methods of research. A limited-edition art book will accompany the exhibition. For more information see Susan Connolly’s website here.
Banner image shows: Susan Connolly, Ground (4/100), Acrylic on canvas with artist frame, 2024. Photo credit: Simon Mills
