John Whelan's art exhibition back on display

John Whelan Exhibits at the Quay Co-op

Exhibition: Work by John Whelan in Quay Co-op back on display from June 17 to July 7

John’s style involves distinctive mark making, often using both hands at the same time. Layering, pattern and an ever-moving surface are present in every painting John does. It can be hard to find words to describe his paintings because the abstractness allows for much interpretation, suggestions of objects and imagery and endless possibilities. Visit the Quay Co-op, Sullivan's Quay, Cork from June 17 to July 7. 2015 to see his work.

John, drawing at Mid summer festival

John Whelan, Colectivo Debajo del Sombrero and AIM

Group photos of all the artists taking part in the Madrid workshops including our very own, John Whelan.

Painting Wall Murals in La Tabaclero, Madrid

One of the highlights of the Madrid workshops was a trip to La Tabacalero to paint wall murals.

Here is John participating in the mural painting with the artists from Debajo Del Sombrero and AIM.

Painting Workshop in La Matadero, Madrid

On one of the first days of the GASP artists trip to Madrid, Colectivo Debajo del Sombrero hosted a very interesting paint workshop. Artists were invited to choose a white object to paint. there were many objects, covered in white paint to chose from. Hats, Fruit, Suitcases and shoes as blank canvases. 

Here we see John Whelan exploring the choice of objects and making his decision.

John chooses a dapper white shirt to transform.

Painting gets underway.

John paints the shirt in his unique style, a series of lines, dots in bursts of colour.

The finished piece.

John Drawing in Palacio de Cristal

John visited the botanical gardens, Palacio de Cristal. Each glass house had a different climate suitable to the plant life. Here we see John doing observational studies. 

Dance Workshop in La Matadero, Madrid

One of the highlights of the trip for John Whelan was when a guest contemporary dancer facilitated a workshop. Artists had the opportunity to draw the dancer. observe and participate. John relished this experience and performed also.

John Whelan and Itziar, an artist from Colectivo Debajo del Sombrero collaborate in an improvised contemporary dance piece. 

John Whelan Participates in an Installation Workshop, La Matadero, Madrid

John explored new techniques and materials in this workshop facilitated by Colectivo Debajo del Sombrero, where artists worked together to create an installation out of masking tape. It started with spontaneous placement of masking tape and evolved as the artists joined in and even featured within in the installation. 

John Whelan drawing with masking tape around John Keating, fellow Cork artist.

Creative Journey to Madrid

John is travelling to Madrid next week to an arts workshop hosted by Arts Organisation Debajo Del Sombrero as part of a longer term Erasmus + project called Expanding realities which will see exchange or ideas, approaches and collaborations  between GASP Cork, Art in Motion (AIM) Bristol and Debajo del Sombrero Madrid.

The project is coordinated by CIT Crawford College of Art and Design and supported by Leargas.  The workshop in Madrid will be a change to engage with new method and approaches. Some workshop will be focused on visual response to performance art while time will also be spent working on a large piece of work on an outdoor wall.

Public Engagement at the Sirius Centre

John takes part in Public Engagement events at the Sirius Arts Centre for Generation.

During the exhibition Generation, a number of opportunities for Public Engagement were organisied. Meet the Artsist Events, Coffee Mornings and Workshops. 

John Whelan was heavily involved in the public engagement aspect of the exhibitions. His work inspired the workshop activities and she was present at some the events.

John spoke about his work and explained his painting style.

He worked as if in studio along side other artists in the gallery.

His pieces inspired some of the activity sheets. Participants were invited to create a poem inspired by John's painting.

Some images of John's experience at the Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh and his hard work displayed.

John In Studio #1

John's work  has been described as tribal and instinctive. His process is unusual. In the initial stages he uses both hands to draw with 2 pieces charcoal in then paints ever so carefully a series of lines, dots and marks. Here are some pictures to give and insight in to his works in progress. 

The Work: John Whelan

Here is a selection of work by John Whelan.

John’s style involves instinctive mark making, often using both hands at the same time. Layering, pattern and an ever-moving surface are present in every painting John does. It can be hard to find words to describe his paintings because the abstractness allows for much interpretation, suggestions of objects and imagery and endless possibilities.

Media: Acrylic Paint on Cardboard.

Opening Night at the Quay Co-op

John Whelan's Opening at the Quay Co-op,14th of May 2015

Friends, family and work colleagues joined John in the opening of his solo show in the Quay Co-op, O' Sullivan's Quay, Cork City. It was an intimate affair of food, wine and conversation. Best of luck to John and here's hoping this is the first many many solo exhibitions. 

John Whelan Exhibits at the Quay Co-op

Exhibition: Work by John Whelan in Quay Co-op back on display from June 17 to July 7

John’s style involves distinctive mark making, often using both hands at the same time. Layering, pattern and an ever-moving surface are present in every painting John does. It can be hard to find words to describe his paintings because the abstractness allows for much interpretation, suggestions of objects and imagery and endless possibilities. Visit the Quay Co-op, Sullivan's Quay, Cork from June 17 to July 7. 2015 to see his work.