Niall de Buitlear
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Structures is an exploration of sculptural form through accumulative, labour intensive processes and created using pre-processed materials. While the artist has previously tended to work on a modest scale, Structures includes works of considerably larger dimensions with the focus on the engagement with the architecture of the space. For the artist, the relationships of scale between the viewer, the work, and the architecture are central to the experience of sculptures and inform his working processes.
Aside from achieving recognition for his sculptural work, another significant aspect of De Buitléar’s practice is drawing. This particular exhibition includes the largest group of the artist’s drawings which have been exhibited together to date. These include works in pencil on paper, ink on paper, and pencil and gesso on board. For De Buitléar, there is a direct relationship between the drawings and the sculptures in terms of the processes and geometric elements employed. Within the artist's studio practice, ideas for sculptures often develop directly from drawings as one might expect but this is also a two way process. Niall de Buitléar was born in 1983 in Dublin and graduated with a Degree in Fine Art in 2006 from DIT. In 2008, solo exhibitions of his work were held at 126, Galway and at The Lab, Dublin. He has participated in the two-person exhibitions, Histories Matter at Wexford Arts Centre, 2009 and One Way or Another at Queen Street Studios, Belfast, 2007. His work has been included in many group exhibitions including Futures 10, RHA, Dublin, 2010; Material Worlds: Contemporary Sculpture from Ireland and the UK, FE McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge, 2010; Dawning of an Aspect, Green on Red Gallery, Dublin 2009; Bookish: When Books Become Art, Lewis Glucksman Gallery, Cork, 2008; and An Exhibition In 5 Chapters, Contemporary Art Centre, Vilnius, 2007. He was the 2009-2010 winner of both the Red Stables Irish Residential Studio Award and the Wexford Arts Centre's Emerging Artist Award. He is currently based in Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, Dublin. |