Artist’s vital new work on show

AN important exhibition of new work by Londonderry born artist Keith Ayton (formerly of Strand Road) opens this week in the Engine Room Gallery Belfast.

Entitled “Lines in the Land,” Keith’s paintings feature abstract landscapes which were largely inspired by his walks around Inishowen Head in Donegal.

Gallery Director Cliff Brooks commented: “Keith has produced a most powerful and distinctive body of work. These are highly accomplished ‘abstracted landscapes.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There are echoes of Keith’s experience and skills as a photographer, with his tight, concentrated focus on the ‘land’ itself.

“Remarkably, none of the 45 works feature any sky or clouds whatever. Thus the viewer is made to narrow in on the artist’s vision of that singular piece of Mother Earth, and its peaty bogs or wheel ruts, rocks, streams or rivulets.”

“There is also a inherent spontaneity to the work…All the paintings were completed within one or two sessions, giving a sense of immediacy, of captured emotion, atmosphere and movement of the lines in the land.”

Keith observed: “These paintings are inspired by the physical, visual and mental stimulation of being part of these changing landscapes. The marks which human activity leaves behind are the focus of this body of work.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Artificial lines in the land come from many different sources and can have many different meanings. From a simple machine track in a field which is merely a means of access, to a hand cut peat ditch in a hill side which delineates ownership and many hours of toil.”

“Metaphorically we all draw lines in the sand, and have our personal Rubicons which we decide to cross or not - paths which we decide to travel or to turn away from.”

“We can see how time and weather impact on these lines in the land and ultimately erode their marks. The slow moving tide of a peat bog reclaiming itself is a testimony to these natural cycles but it still leaves traces of past history and memory.”

The Exhibition will run until at the Engine Room 414 Newtownards Road Belfast 25th June, Tues – Sat 10am – 4.00pm.

Related topics: