If you did not get to one of the screenings in Dublin, Carlow or Kilkenny, now is your chance to join the nation and view the Television premiere of the simply stunning, Living Colour.
DON’T MISS IT
21st February 2012 10.15pm RTÉ ONE
Living Colour is an observational documentary film exploring the world of KCAT, an extraordinary artists’ collective in Callan, Co. Kilkenny, which focuses on the artists’ abilities instead of their special needs. It is an often hilarious, intimate portrayal of charming and vibrant characters and as it takes us farther into their unique world, it throws up questions about the deeply human need to make art. Living Colour is, in itself, a celebration of what it is to be human.
A Wildfire Films Production in association with RTÉ, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and Bord Scannán na hÉireann/The Irish Film Board
Reviews
Living Colour is a wonderful documentary …The film’s gentle, meditative pace catches the mood of much of the art and the artists involved in the film and its moments of humour, insight and joy come together to define this uplifting and enlightening piece of cinema and its extraordinary tale people communicating through art. FILM IRELAND
“…something special has been achieved with Living Colour, by its formal assuredness and sophistication and its profound understanding of the significance of its characters’ lives which for me places it with ‘Être et Avoir’ and ‘Tishe’ ” David McKenna, Executive Producer Cross-media, RTÉ
“… the opening scene led us into a world rarely expressed so truthfully on screen..” Megan Specia, Connector.TV
At the tail end of 2011, KCAT studio artists Francis Casey, Declan Byrne, Mary Cody and Jack Foskin were selected for inclusion in the International exhibition ‘Museum of Everything #4′. The expansive exhibition took up residence in the lower floor of Selfridges department store on London’s busy Oxford Street, and their work was seen by thousands of visitors over the two month long show. The exhibition brought together diverse pieces from artist groups and studios from around the world and produced a thoroughly engaging and stimulating installation in which to house the stunning work.
Exhibition Opening
Wednesday 30 November 2011 – 6 pm
Waterford Central Library
An Alternative History of Stone Age Man, according to Jack Foskin
b. 1987 Waterford.
Jack Foskin is a native of Butlers town Co Waterford, and has pursued and developed his passion for art and creativity since he left school in 2003 . After studying at Grennan Mill Craft School, he furthered his learning in KCAT Art and Study Centre in Callan where he studied fine art on the full time art courses and developed his painting skills. In 2007 Jack joined the studio group in KCAT. Following the inclusion in a range of group shows, he is now very excited to present his latest body of work in a solo exhibition titled ‘An Alternative History of Stone Age Man according to Jack Foskin’ at Waterford Central Library.
Since joining the studio group Jack has developed his own unique style of painting which is unmistakably his. His combination of layers and washes with a thick, impasto application of acrylic paint makes key elements of his canvases richly textured and almost three dimensional.
The subject of Jacks painting are just as curious as his technique as he has created an alternative history of stone age man. In the paintings there are images of four eyed people in their everyday activities such as hunting, fishing, dancing and the playing of musical instruments in celebration. In this exhibition there are large canvases depicting the native animals that the four eyed people hunted such as woolly rhinoceroses, elk, woolly mammoths, giant birds and fish. Jack has also devised a map of where these four eyed people live so the viewer can have a broader understanding of their existence.
This alternative world has slowly developed by Jack over the past 3 years, his imagination being fuelled by his love of comic books, graphic novels and science fiction novels. He has had a life time interest in history and anthropology and animal life. Other strong influences are tribal art and outsider art, all of which is visible in the Alternative History of Stone Age man.
The Annual Abhainn Rí festival in Callan got off to a fantastic start this weekend with a series of stunning exhibitions. Throughout Callan there was a visual feast as an evening of openings flowed beautifully. Two KCAT studio artist openings, a sculpture show featuring George McCutcheon, Karl Fitzgerald, Andrew Pike, Jason Turner, and Jack Foskin, and a painting show by Mary Cody were both very well received. Credit to Saturio Alonso and George for presenting the ‘Ytong Cloud’ in the workhouse so beautifully. A strong show of papercuts by Paul Bokslag further strenghtened KCATs visual arts involvement in the festival.
Father and son team Peter and Jack Foskin, KCAT artists along with their tutor, artist Jean Conroy were commissioned to build a bear in Belvue secondary school in Northolt, London
The school caters for children with special needs and learning difficulties. The link between the two organisations has been growing in strength over the last three years.
The KCAT sculpture team have already built a life size horse made from Willow in the school grounds. Last year a school dog, a cat from wire and metal and a very flamboyant peacock were added.
This year the sculpture team returned and built a life size brown bear in a new forested area that the school has recently acquired. The bear christened “Hawthorn” was constructed from young pliable hawthorn trees.
Led by tutor Jean Conroy, students on the FETAC Level 5 full-time course presented beautiful willow sculptures for the Crafts Council Garden at Bloom. They really enhanced the whole look and feel of the garden. It was a very successful event this year with over 90,000 visitors over the few days. The pieces were strategically placed at all of the entry points to the garden to give them maximum visibility and there was enormous interest in them from the public. Well done to all involved. More images of the Garden can be viewed by clicking on the link http://gallery.me.com/ccoi#104526
Last weekend saw Andrew Pike’s “Going to war over a banana truck” featured at the Bosi Fest in Serbia
Bosifest - Andrew Pike
BOSI FEST is an international film festival for and about people with disabilities which was organized for the first timelast year by Hendi Centre Koloseum. The festival was held between 20th - 30th May 2010 in Dom Sindikata, under the slogan Invisible differences and visible similarities. The festival’s primary aim was to draw the public attention to the art and possibilities of the participants, at the same time sending the message that disabled people should enjoy the same rights and have the same obligations as other citizens, attempting thus to implement measures for their equal participation and integration in the development of society. Last festival presented over 55 films about lives and works of people with disabilities, which came from 18 countries and 3 continents.
Come and savour the visual feast that is the annual showcase of selected work by KCAT students. Following the intense year of study, it is now time for the students to show off their creative output, and with over 100 pieces of work on show there will undoubtedly be something for everyone. The work has been selected by students from the range of courses on offer at KCAT including the full time FETAC level 5 course, part time course and one day courses. The visit to the Arts Centre in Callan will be well worth it as with examples of work ranging from carvings to charcoal, realism to abstraction, the variety and quality are breathtaking. The exhibition opens on Friday 3rd June at 7.30, and all are welcome, and continues until Sunday 12th June. Opens daily 10am – 5pm, Sundays 12 – 5pm.
Selected original Pieces from KCAT Studio Artists are now available through our shop on Etsy. Click on the image to visit the store and discover a selection of unframed works ready to be sent across the globe.
