Sean Shanahan’s painting is a sensory experience rather than an illusionistic window onto the world, writes Elisabetta Longari of the Dublin-born artist who is based in Northern Italy.
Dublin-born artist Seán Shanahan lives and works in the town of Montevecchia, a beautiful part of the world situated between Milan and Lake Como. Before establishing himself here, in the relative quiet of what is now the countryside, Shanahan had studied in London and Madrid, had lived in Milan, Amsterdam and New York and had generally travelled the world over.
Aside from the cuisine, the wine and the climate it was a particular quality of light that first fascinated and kept him in this place. The tenuous light of the pre-Alps. A quality of light that can be found in the works of many artists who have resided here, from Leonardo da Vinci to Antonio Calderara.
‘Culture is about sharing; Nationalism is about ownership.’ Hughie O’Donoghue encapsulates the chasm between the two concepts, in conversation with Brian McAvera
The study of fragments is second nature to Jason Ellis, writes Paula Murphy of the sculptor’s collection from last year.
As Irish Design 2015 is launched worldwide, we republish here Jennifer Goff’s assessment of the legacy of internationally acclaimed arch Modernist Eileen Gray