Lisburn artist launches a bold and colourful new exhibition

Lisburn artist Clinton Kirkpatrick opened a large, colourful and bold exhibition in Ards Arts Centre, in Newtownards, on March 2.

Clinton has worked steadily on his artistic practice since returning home from England in 2008; he has had numerous exhibitions, both locally and internationally, and he has always strived to push his art forwards.

In 2011 Clinton first ventured to Kenya, East Africa, and in 2012 he returned as an artist to explore a foreign place and learn from another culture. It was throughout these years that his practice began to fundamentally grow and that he started to understand where his interests lay within his practice.

“It can be hard being an artist,” explained Clinton. “People can be quick to pass my work over although I find that if they take the time to understand why I make paintings or artworks then an interest can begin to develop. My work is about the human or the human condition. I am fascinated in how we operate, both as individuals and in groups or communities. I am interested in structures created by societies and how people function within that. My work is narrative driven and is, essentially, storytelling.”

Clinton creates characters in his work. These characters are often fictional although they might mimic his everyday life, or conversations had or thoughts that swirl around in his head. In his new exhibition is a body of paintings, print-works and drawings. The work for this exhibition was completed within the last four months and the exhibition was generously supported by the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. “it is with the greatest thanks to the LCCC for the support they gave me towards this work,” Clinton continued. “The support is invaluable.”

The exhibition runs until Saturday March 25 in the Ards Arts Centre in the Georgian Gallery. Clinton will host and deliver a talk on Thursday March 23 at 7pm at Ards Arts Centre.