Developing an Appreciation of Visionary Art
Fiona Gillespie is a young Irish artist from Cork and a recent graduate from the Limerick School of Art and Design. Her work is a colourful concoction from which emerges monster heads, anthropomorphic creatures, and weird vegetation. The almost ‘kitsch’ style is loud and unapologetic with pure saturated colour reminiscent of psychedelic art. However, the… Continue reading
In 2013, the rugby analyst and outsider art enthusiast Brent Pope hosted an RTE documentary on outsider artists in Ireland. I only became aware of this program last year. However, I was very excited to see a TV program celebrating talented and creative Irish individuals outside the mainstream art market. Outsider art (for those who… Continue reading
Lisette Knutsen is a Swedish artist who creates obsessively and continuously. Her work is mostly drawings using watercolour paints and black ink on white paper. When you look at one of Knutsen’s drawings, you instantly feel overwhelmed. You are uncertain whether or not you should be horrified, mystified, or grateful that you had the opportunity… Continue reading
Sinead McKillican is a recent graduate from the Limerick School of Art and Design; she was a year below me in the painting department. I remember our regular conversations, which seemed to always get quite deep on the topic of spiritualism, Jung, and personal growth. Her studio space in college was always unique, fitted with… Continue reading
Mo Riza is a New York-based artist who works a professional career during the day. Yet, in the early hours of the morning, he vanishes into his home studio and creates wonderful visionary paintings using cheap household paint and rolls of constructive paper. The visual imagery he creates stems from a fantastic world and depicts… Continue reading