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| Susan O'Byrne |
Susan O'Byrne's new show is Five Sisters and a Family Tree, in it she explores experiences of childhood with reference to her grandma's five sisters and the family tree of her immigrant German relatives to Ireland.
The Five Sisters are a collection of half size deer and sheep in porcelain with her trade mark patterning in slip. The patterns are intricate stencils that are fractured and reapplied to give a crazed pattern placed perfectly on the sculpture. This is a really comforting exhibition, beautiful and gentle. There is a fairy tale quality to the work and they are very accessible. Accompanying the Five Sisters are a collection of life size birds, from finches to majestic crows, whose patterning is subtle and delightful.
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| Susan O'Byrne |
The Family Tree is an eclectic collection of exotic animal heads, again in patterned porcelain, each introduced with the name of one of her German relatives. All kinds of animals are represented from a tarsir to an echidna, all in a highly realistic form but with her gentle touch very approachable.
I really enjoyed this exhibition, there is no aggression here, you are not challenged but invited into Susan's imagination. The sculptures are beautiful and well finished and just a pleasure to engage with.
Price is not something I would mention often but if you are in the market for a lovely original I was amazed at how reasonable her work was. There were pieces from as little as £40, even the little finches were only £95. I would love to own one of her works but with the cats porcelain is not a good idea. If its on the wall out of reach fine but I now only have wooden or bronze ornaments because over the last fifteen years they have broken everything else!
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| W for Wallpaper |
The main gallery, gallery one, was showing W for Wallpaper. A collection of craft made wall papers including pieces that where hand blocked or hand cut as well as digitally manipulated pieces. There is even a sample made up of machined cross stitches to form a relief pattern. Some of the hand cut blocked wallpapers where simply art in themselves, with subtle colour and stunning detail. My favourite however was a wallpaper by the Scottish company Timorous Beasties. The detail was fantastic and with a ten metre repeat you wouldn't get bored but maybe on just one wall.
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| Timorous Beasties |
There was also a lovely collection of silverware in gallery two by the very talented Julie Blyfield. Here was jewellery and vessels all very delicate and with a great finish. A small collection but with the lighting I couldn't take any pictures but well worth a visit.
If you find yourself in the area it is all free, with talks and workshops coming up at very reasonable prices. Becca has signed on to a workshop with Susan O'Byrne for only £60 that includes lunch would you believe, excellent value and she is very excited. There is a collection of artisan shops and a really pleasant cafe who do a great fish platter and a good cup of tea, it makes for a very good afternoon indeed.
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