Spontaneous People / Spontaneous Paintings Exhibition

The Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, Co Laois, are delighted to present Spontaneous People / Spontaneous Paintings

This two-person exhibition which opened recently, brings together works by artists Diana Chambers and Seamus Morton. The exhibition is curated by Dominic Thorpe. The exhibition opened on Saturday April 1^st and runs to Friday 28^th April.

The word ‘spontaneous’ refers to the impulse, instinct and natural feeling that fuels the work of both Chambers and Morton. The works presented in Spontaneous People / Spontaneous Paintings also demonstrate the deep curiosity and expression of two artists dedicated to art practice.

Spnntaneous People/Spontaneous Paintings Exhibition at Arthouse, Stradbally – Dorothee Beniers , Dr. Dominic Thorpe ( Artist/Curator) , Diana Chambers -Artist, Declan Kennedy. Photo: Michael Scully.

Diana Chambers works from the KCAT studio in Callan Kilkenny. She is a prolific painter who addresses a range of subject matter from portraiture to landscape to everyday scenarios and objects. She has shown in several exhibitions including at the West Cork Arts Centre, Riverbank Arts Centre, Galleria Art Kaarisilta Helsinki, and Farmleigh House Dublin.

“We are delighted to bring together these artists for this unique exhibition. The reaction to the art works by the public has been extraordinary and we look forward to welcoming many visitors to the exhibition over the coming weeks,” commented Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer.

Spnntaneous People/Spontaneous Paintings Exhibition at Arthouse, Stradbally – Artist – Seamus Morton with Muireann, Donna and Orry Dempsey. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

Seamus Morton works from his studio at Erkina House Rathdowney Co. Laois. He has developed a substantial body of work, including portraiture, landscape, and still life. He has exhibited his work in several exhibitions, including a sell-out solo show at Áras an Chontae, Laois County Council, Portlaoise, Dunamaise Arts Centre, and currently has work on display in the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Dr. Dominic Thorpe is an Irish visual artist and curator. He has shown extensively, including at the Bangkok Cultural Centre, Performance Space London, Galway Arts Centre, the Golden Thread Gallery Belfast, and SASA Gallery Adelaide. Thorpe frequently engages with inclusion and education-based initiatives and has work in several public collections in Ireland, including the collection of the Arts Council of Ireland.

Spnntaneous People/Spontaneous Paintings Exhibition at Arthouse, Stradbally – Artist – Diana Chambers, with : Arts Office staff- Diane Seale and Catherine Guidera, Paula Schurbohm and Ariane Haas. Photo: Michael Scully.

The exhibition was opened by Pádraig Naughton. Pádraig Naughton became Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland in 2005. Working strategically in partnership with the arts sector ADI champions the creativity of artists with disabilities and promotes inclusive experiences for audiences with disabilities. In 2022 Pádraig graduated with an LLM in International & Comparative Disability Law & Policy from the University of Galway, also that same year The Kennedy Center, Washington D.C., recognized his lifetime achievement with an Excellence in Accessibility Leadership Award.

Spnntaneous People/Spontaneous Paintings Exhibition at Arthouse, Stradbally – Artists – Seamus Morton and Diana Chambers, with Muireann Ni Chonaill ( Laois Arts Officer ), Padraig Naughton ( Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland) and Dr. Dominic Thorpe ( Artist/Curator). Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee. .

An exhibition tour by Diana Chambers, Seamus Morton and Curator Dominic Thorpe, takes place on Thursday 20^th April at 12.30pm in the Gallery, Laois Arthouse, Stradbally. Light refreshments will be served. Booking for this event is advisable at the artsoff@laoiscoco.ie T: 057-8689386