Exhibitions, United Kingdom, Cardiganshire, Newcastle Emlyn, 06 July 2015
The Divine Between Heaven and Earth - Paul McCloskey’s ’Omega 3D’ - By Lisa Mikulski
The Alley Theatre/Arts Centre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone presents Paul McCloskey’s anticipated ’Omega 3D’, showing July 6 through July 31, 2015. The ’Omega 3D’ is the third series in McCloskey's Awakenings trilogy: The Alpha, Reloaded, and the Omega.
It is rare that a work of art, or a series of works, strikes me with a physical as well as an emotional reaction. The work of Paul McCloskey is literally breathtaking in its composition, colour, and execution.
Flying in the face of conventional presentation, the Omega is not displayed on a two dimensional surface, but instead consists of fifteen cubes, oil on board, some of which are wall mounted, and some which allow the viewer to see the works in the round. These cubes, dazzling in colour, are representative of the multidimensional nature of the spiritual – all things in all directions.
Set up to engage the viewer, the artist’s work invites his audience to not only see the work, but to participate in it. It is not only a visual journey but a spiritual one. And while the works may, at first glance, abide to that which is considered abstract art, they are in fact, resultant of McCloskey’s expression of the Irish landscape.
"The varied and stunning Irish landscape, coupled with our unsettled weather and therefore often fleeting and mottled light, inspires me greatly. Often a view will change or an area will be illuminated by a simple break in the clouds, highlighting as if a shimmering treasure or jewel, a corner of a field, the side of some rocky cliff, or the dynamic sweeping curves of a valley reminding us that we are an integral part of and connected to a whole. Effectively, this encourages us to see and, most importantly, feel its beauty and spirit and therefore reconnect to this vital part of us,” McCloskey explains.
These gemlike, dazzling primordial explosions, sometimes thick with impasto, give the impression that they are being viewed from some distant place – perhaps as seen from space or from a far away hillside – and yet there is also the feeling of being drawn in, of being able to enter the piece and walk among the fields of colour.
“The intention is to draw the viewer into the flows and obscure textures of the emerging landscape, almost as if witnessing its creation, its birth, its expansion, and ultimate contraction, representing for me the internal struggle between the conditioned and the divine spiritual self.” McCloskey explains.
Once seen, never forgotten. The work remains embraced in the viewer’s mind, and upon subsequent viewings each embellishes the last impression and builds upon it – akin to one falling in love.
Process is primary for this artist – it is the process which causes him to feel closest to the divine – it is the act of creation, where once knowing the concept of the piece, he allows himself to become lost in imagination – feeling the ebb and flow of exploration, until the piece, beautiful in its light and execution, is complete.
McCloskey is certainly a colourist, and he knows how to work a brush. But in additional to his technical skill, the artist wishes for you to connect and reflect on those simple visions which may escape in our daily routine – for we often see our surroundings without really seeing. It is here that McCloskey wishes for us to journey, and to linger a while – a place of peace and reflection – from within and without.
Paul McCloskey was born in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland and is now living and working in Gorey Co. Wexford. He is a graduate of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin . He attended De Montfort University UK and was awarded a masters degree in fine art in 2010.
www.paulmccloskeyart.com
Lisa Mikulski is a writer and photographer. Based in Gothenburg, Sweden and Boston, Massachusetts, Lisa’s articles and images have appeared in numerous publications in print and online. Most recently she has written for Göteborg Daily - Gothenburg, Sweden; The Simple Things - UK; The Local - Stockholm, Sweden; and Nordstjernan - NYC. Back in the States her work was regularly featured at Artscope Magazine - Boston; The New Haven Arts Paper - Connecticut; AIGA - The professional association for design; and INK Publications - Connecticut.
Lisa is presently residing in Gothenburg, Sweden. She is presently compiling her first book of black and white street photography from Connecticut, Boston, and Gothenburg venues.
The Alley Theatre/Arts Centre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone presents Paul McCloskey’s anticipated ’Omega 3D’, showing July 6 through July 31, 2015. The ’Omega 3D’ is the third series in McCloskey's Awakenings trilogy: The Alpha, Reloaded, and the Omega.
It is rare that a work of art, or a series of works, strikes me with a physical as well as an emotional reaction. The work of Paul McCloskey is literally breathtaking in its composition, colour, and execution.
Flying in the face of conventional presentation, the Omega is not displayed on a two dimensional surface, but instead consists of fifteen cubes, oil on board, some of which are wall mounted, and some which allow the viewer to see the works in the round. These cubes, dazzling in colour, are representative of the multidimensional nature of the spiritual – all things in all directions.
Set up to engage the viewer, the artist’s work invites his audience to not only see the work, but to participate in it. It is not only a visual journey but a spiritual one. And while the works may, at first glance, abide to that which is considered abstract art, they are in fact, resultant of McCloskey’s expression of the Irish landscape.
"The varied and stunning Irish landscape, coupled with our unsettled weather and therefore often fleeting and mottled light, inspires me greatly. Often a view will change or an area will be illuminated by a simple break in the clouds, highlighting as if a shimmering treasure or jewel, a corner of a field, the side of some rocky cliff, or the dynamic sweeping curves of a valley reminding us that we are an integral part of and connected to a whole. Effectively, this encourages us to see and, most importantly, feel its beauty and spirit and therefore reconnect to this vital part of us,” McCloskey explains.
These gemlike, dazzling primordial explosions, sometimes thick with impasto, give the impression that they are being viewed from some distant place – perhaps as seen from space or from a far away hillside – and yet there is also the feeling of being drawn in, of being able to enter the piece and walk among the fields of colour.
“The intention is to draw the viewer into the flows and obscure textures of the emerging landscape, almost as if witnessing its creation, its birth, its expansion, and ultimate contraction, representing for me the internal struggle between the conditioned and the divine spiritual self.” McCloskey explains.
Once seen, never forgotten. The work remains embraced in the viewer’s mind, and upon subsequent viewings each embellishes the last impression and builds upon it – akin to one falling in love.
Process is primary for this artist – it is the process which causes him to feel closest to the divine – it is the act of creation, where once knowing the concept of the piece, he allows himself to become lost in imagination – feeling the ebb and flow of exploration, until the piece, beautiful in its light and execution, is complete.
McCloskey is certainly a colourist, and he knows how to work a brush. But in additional to his technical skill, the artist wishes for you to connect and reflect on those simple visions which may escape in our daily routine – for we often see our surroundings without really seeing. It is here that McCloskey wishes for us to journey, and to linger a while – a place of peace and reflection – from within and without.
Paul McCloskey was born in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland and is now living and working in Gorey Co. Wexford. He is a graduate of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin . He attended De Montfort University UK and was awarded a masters degree in fine art in 2010.
www.paulmccloskeyart.com
Lisa Mikulski is a writer and photographer. Based in Gothenburg, Sweden and Boston, Massachusetts, Lisa’s articles and images have appeared in numerous publications in print and online. Most recently she has written for Göteborg Daily - Gothenburg, Sweden; The Simple Things - UK; The Local - Stockholm, Sweden; and Nordstjernan - NYC. Back in the States her work was regularly featured at Artscope Magazine - Boston; The New Haven Arts Paper - Connecticut; AIGA - The professional association for design; and INK Publications - Connecticut.
Lisa is presently residing in Gothenburg, Sweden. She is presently compiling her first book of black and white street photography from Connecticut, Boston, and Gothenburg venues.
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