Eilis O’Brien previews a selection of sculpture by Eamonn Ceannt who draws inspiration from the dynamic form of dancers in movement currently on view at Gormley’s Fine Art, Belfast
Eamonn Ceannt’s work has undergone a number of phases. From his early heads inspired by the art of the die culture, his themes are often influenced by native art as well as by classical references. Although his penultimate career was as bursar (CFO) of University College Dublin, he worked previously abroad and travelled extensively, mainly in Africa. And it is out of Africa that his love of bronze sculpture was born – particularly from the kingdoms of Ife and Benin, which thrived between 1200 and 1600AD in what is now Nigeria. He explored some of the more remote areas of Kenya; crossing Samburu, Masai Mara, the Rift Valley, Amboseli and the coast, absorbing their colours and to some degree, their physical form. His work is mainly figurative and highly stylised. His pieces are smooth in form – close to sensuous; they invite you to touch, to run your hand over the body, or the face or the clavicle. The colour palette of his work is dominated by greens and blues ranging from mallard to peacock. He is fastidious about the layering of the patina with his foundry Bronze Art, in Fairview, Dublin.
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