Gallery
Shane Crotty             Born in 1981, he grew up in the Galway towns of Woodford and Loughrea. He has studied at G.T.I., the National College of Art & Design, Dublin, and at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Cluain Mhuire where he specialised in Fine Art Printmaking. He likes to experiment in various forms and subjects from architecture, landscape, graphics and abstraction. He uses combinations of mediums and methods in his printmaking, but also painting, drawing and digital design. His work was used as an illustration in a poetry book published by Baffle, an annual poetry festival in Loughrea in 2001 and again in 2003 when his work was chosen for the festival's poster and publications. Shane exhibited paintings in a group exhibition of recent graduates entitled LoughReaction in 2005. Recently he has shown work in Conflict a group exhibition with Lorg Printmakers as part of the Galway Art's Festival 2007 and also during the Clifden Arts Festival 2007. In 2009 he took part in 'Making Waves' in The Kenny Gallery, a major group exhibition on the theme of the sea to coincide with the visit to Galway of the Volvo Round the World Yacht Race. He is influenced by the work of Gerhard Richter, Hughie O'Donoghue, Marcel Duchamp, Anselm Kiefer, Jean Dubuffet, Sean Hillen, Robert Ballagh, Andy Warhol, Banksy and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Artist Statement "Some of the ideas I try to express in my works abstract prints come from a less traditional approach. Seeing the similarities between the scientific, artistic and symbolic aspects of human nature, I tried to adapt similar methods in my artwork. Using elements such as graphs, grids and geometry, and juxtaposing those to natural and organic forms like splashes, stains and random marks representing our need to document and contain our perceptions and understanding of the world around us. The process of printmaking is an exhaustive combination of preparation, technical knowledge and technique to reach a visual conclusion. This could be seen as a link between visual and scientific enquiry, between technology and the artistic. When working within the digital medium, I feel the process has evolved and is an extension of the traditional printmaking methods. Using various source materials such as photographs, drawings, prints and painting, I build them up in layers and using effects to combine the elements until the image emerges. It is a very creative and experimental way to work and the creation of the design has a very organic and evolutionary nature, despite the obvious use of technology. The interactions of each layer to other layers above and below it, altering an area which I am happy with can change another part that is affected less favourably. This gives a lot of room to unpredictability, with my initial idea for the image changing dramatically throughout. The level of control that you are afforded, allows the infinite nature that you are given, to be reined back to the original ideas. It is a very powerful tool, but a tool none the less. Art comes from the artist, not from the material, and can not be dismissed." 1999 - G.T.I., portfolio preparation course 2001 - 'Baffle' poetry book illustration 2003 - Baffle poetry festival, painting used as poster and publications 2005 - Graduated from G.M.I.T. with a National Degree in Fine Art Printmaking - Cluain Mhuire Degree Exhibition 2006 - Exhibited as part of a group show entitled 'LoughReaction' - Completed a FAS course in Web Design 2007 - Galway Arts Festival 2007 'Conflict' group exhibition with Lorg Printmakers. - Clifden Arts Festival Lorg Printmakers Group Show 2008 - Founded knifetoagunfightinc.com 2009 - 'Making Waves' group exhibition The Kenny Gallery, Galway. Visit Artist's Website |