what's on

Exhibition runs from 10th of September to 23rd of October 2020

About the exhibition:

Titled Confessional, this solo exhibition features portraits and landscapes which combine found and original imagery. The shifting perspectives of these paintings prompts the viewer to – physically – take a position on these events, as we alter our stance to understand everything we are seeing and what it is trying to tell us.

Drawing on historical documents – particularly those from events of national and international shame such as genocide, war and famine – can teach us how to understand ourselves. Kielt weaves figures, objects and landscapes from these pictures into a painted tapestry alongside personal archive material: images of figures, objects and landscapes from his own life.

The paintings in this exhibition particularly focus on human and animal nature. In the process of painting, Kielt is posing questions about how viewers of his work will respond to binaries such as victim and perpetrator, innocence and malice, and behaviour that is
motivated by self-interest and/or survival. These ideas translate into areas of light and shade in the paintings, as well as a colour palette which is much more subtle and soft than
previously – as if to imply grey areas which are much more nuanced. In one work we glimpse a subject expressing relief: possibly due to freedom, escape, or a sense of luck, though the muscles which control these expressions are the same as those which are used to convey pain.

About the artist:

Brian Kielt is a painter based in mid-Ulster who makes work about memory, trauma and anxiety. In 2012 Kielt co-founded the LOFT collective and continues to collaborate with members on numerous projects. This is Kielt’s fifth solo exhibition. His work has featured in several group shows and has work in private collections in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the USA.

Safety protocols:

• We will be gathering your name and contact information at the entrance to the Gallery, which we will keep for 21 days and then delete, in accordance with effective track-and-trace measures.
• Sanitiser units at the entrance and around the venue
• Anyone who can, should wear a face covering when visiting the venue
• We request that people practice social distancing inside of the space
• We will be regularly sanitising all surfaces within the venue
• We will no longer permit the audience/visitors to gather inside of the office space to protect staff
• We will provide single use biodegradable paper cups for refreshments for events

Online event Saturday 3rd of October 2020 from 2pm to 3pm

We’re conscious that many of our artists and audiences may continue to shield, so we have also organised an online event for those who can’t make it to see the exhibition. A Studio Visit with Brian Kielt will take place on Saturday 3rd of October 2020 from 2pm to 3pm. Join us for an informal tour of the artist’s studio, in the rolling foothills of Glenshane. This is a great opportunity to meet the artist, find out more about his creative process and the ideas that inform his practice, and get a sneak peek of works in progress. Questions for the artist from attendees are welcomed.

Please visit the UofA Facebook Events page to register your interest or contact us directly to receive a zoom link.

Email: marketing@universityofatypical.org