The Olivier Cornet Gallery is delighted to present Deireadh Fómhair, a solo exhibition by gallery artist Eoin Mac Lochlainn.

“We can all take concrete steps to live more carefully on this planet. In recent years, I switched from oils to watercolour in order to have less of an impact on the environment.

The switch has been both challenging and rewarding – challenging to master the idiosyncrasies of the medium but very rewarding in discovering new possibilities and avenues of enquiry for my practice. 

I have been developing a body of work which explores the effects of climate change and in particular, reflects on the significance of trees.

Trees are a link between the past, the present and the future. The majestic stature, the long lifespan and the familiarity give them a monument-like quality but they also have a special aura that is difficult to define. Research has shown that within minutes of being surrounded by trees, our blood pressure drops, our heart rate slows and stress levels begin to reduce.

My work is primarily painting but recently, I have expanded the notion of ‘works on paper’ to develop an installation/sculpture which will be installed in the Olivier Cornet Gallery in October 2018.

The idea is to recreate a ‘forest experience’ in the gallery space, using rice paper. This is a traditional paper which originated in ancient China and has been used for centuries for calligraphy, artwork and architecture. It is as white as alabaster, known for its strength and smooth surface, very delicate when wet but said to last for a thousand years – an enchanting medium with which to work.

“Deireadh Fómhair” is the title for this body of work, the Irish name for the month of October but literally translating as ‘the end of Autumn’. We have always taken the cycle of the seasons for granted in Ireland but with climate change, things have become more uncertain. When this Autumn ends, can we be sure that Spring will follow Winter?

The installation will be made up of 64 painted lengths of rice paper.

I have also been working on a series of watercolour paintings on the various aspects of the forest – the solitude, the changing seasons and the peace that one feels on a woodland walk contrasting with the danger and the devastation of forest fires.”

Eoin Mac Lochlainn, September 2018