PRESS RELEASE
Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa is proud to announce TRANSITIONS, a solo exhibition of work by Cork-based SHARON HAYES.
Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa is pleased to present Transitions, a solo exhibition of paintings and photographs by Sharon Hayes. Please join us on Thursday November 21st at 6pm, for the exhibition opening and to meet the artist. Transitions is Sharon Hayes’s first solo show and the first show at our newly established teaching gallery at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa. We are proud to exhibit the work of a CSN Art, Craft and Design graduate. This exhibition unveils selected paintings by the artist, created during her degree studio practice, and postgraduate studies. It also reveals the beginnings of a new and exciting series of photographic work from her recent travels to Morocco and New York.
In this exhibition, Sharon Hayes presents an insight into the methodologies and processes involved in the different stages of her studio practice: as an art student, researcher, educator, professional and painter. Sharon highlights the importance of the physical performative action in the making of her work. She portrays how the gathering of ideas, the significance of research, the engagement with mark-making and application of materials are essential ingredients in an artist’s development and growth.
Sharon Hayes is a Cork-based visual artist. She graduated from Limerick School of Art and Design with a B.A. in Fine Art Painting; and from University College Cork with an M.A. in Modern and Contemporary Art History, Theory & Criticism. She has exhibited paintings and videos nationally; and interned as a Visiting Lecturer with the Art Department at CSN.
The exhibition is open from 9am - 5pm, Monday – Friday, and runs until FRIDAY December 13th, 2013.
For further information please contact:
Lucy Phelan, Art Department, CSN, Tramore Road, Cork.
Email: [email protected], Phone: 021 4961020
TRANSITIONS
a solo exhibition of work by SHARON HAYES
ARTIST STATEMENT
The Oxford Dictionary defines Transition as ‘the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another’. In Transitions - my first solo show - I hope to create a sense of the constant evolution of learning and growth by the Visual Artist throughout their academic work and beyond - into the ‘big bad world’ of professional practice. Preparing for one’s first solo show allows for many invaluable opportunities: the task of exhibiting by one’s humble self; working with Art Administration professionals; and interacting with the public. On a personal level, the most vital aspect of Transitions has been the opportunity to look back at my studies and experiences as a student of Fine Art and Art History; and to reconnect with my personal and professional art practice. It has afforded me the power of hindsight and a chance to reassess my weaknesses and strengths as an artist, the significance of my past work processes and methodologies and my future endeavours.
The transition from student to intern to professional can be quite expeditious, which I can offer testimony to as a recent graduate and lecturing intern. This hasty progression through education and training can leave a young artist at a crossroads where they are left to consider the next step in their career. After completing my internship with the Art Department at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, I was kindly invited to exhibit here at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa and I accepted gratefully, excited by the prospects of returning focus to engaging with public exhibition of my work. I chose to compile the show with three different concepts in mind: sketchbook investigative work, paintings featured as part of my Fine Art degree showcase and new photographic pieces inspired from recent travels to Morocco and New York City.
The choice to include private sketchbooks and preliminary studies was not made without careful deliberation. I felt it quite imperative to show where the initial gathering of ideas and information occurs. Sketchbooks serve as catalysts of creation for the artist and allow for visual and conceptual problems to be practically addressed and physically tackled. I wanted to highlight how - the process of gathering of ideas, the significance of research, the engagement with mark-making and application of materials - are essential ingredients in an artist’s development. The physicality and gestural application of materials has been a predominant theme throughout my art practice, stemming from my early studies here in the studios of Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa. This exploration of ideas and production of studies feed into the construction of final pieces, which can be identified in my degree show paintings.
In my most recent work, one can see there is a shift from the subject of the personality and the figure towards site-specific, geographical subject matter. This direction of work is influenced by several factors including travelling, being part of the immigration generation; the removal of the artist from familiar surroundings and the exploration of foreign cultures. These photographic studies are the first step in my new journey of professional practice, and mark a new transition in my career.
