Aesthetics of structural man made forms fuse and clash with the natural in the artworks of Ann Kavanagh. With a type of fragmented sensitivity, delicateness and refinement, the work presents a serene and solemn calm that comes out of and abstracts into a carefully constructed chaos. This orderly chaos that Ann speaks about in her work reflects on the relationship between two seemingly opposing concepts; the wild and the urban landscape.
Concepts and ideas begin from drawings and photographic images, I abstract certain elements to create a visual interpretation of my urban and rural surroundings. My prints are mainly abstract, combining woodblock and etching on Fabriano and Japanese papers. The printing process for me is a response to the materials themselves, erasing lines to create lines, mark making on copper and aluminum plates plus the accidental scratches that I choose to leave, editing until a composition begins to emerge. Each print is developed in conjunction with one another.
I work instinctively and as my urban surroundings become more intense, my emotive response to this is created by layers and depth of colour, contrast and textures found within my work. While I make many similar prints, I have a personal preference to keep my prints unique and only make small editions.
Ann Kavanagh visual artist originally from Kilkenny, now living in Dublin. Works across the mediums of printmaking and photography and is both a studio and board member of the Black Church Print Studio, Temple Bar, Dublin. Ann has participated at residencies in other print studios namely Mi-Lab, Kawaguchico, Japan, Crown Point Press, San Francisco, Druckstella Printmaking Studio, Berlin and has exhibited nationally and internationally.
Education:
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Fine Art 2.1 - Photography and Fine Art Printmaking - 1999-2004
Achievements:
2023 received the The Céide Ladle Award at the First International Biennial Exhibitionat the Ballinglen Arts Foundation and Museum of Art.
2022 received an Arts Council Agility award for practice development and collaboration.
2021 received a dlr Arts Grant Scheme to develop my professional practice in book binding with Sandi Sexton.
2019 selected to be a participant on the Skills transfer programme at the National Print Museum.
2016 and 2018 selected to participate at MI-LAB, Lake Kawaguchico, Japan. MI-LAB (Mokuhanga Innovation Lab) is an artist-in-residence program designed to provide extensive knowledge of mokuhanga (water-based woodblock printmaking) and its techniques to international artists, printmakers and teachers of printmaking, as well as to enable them to make use of traditional tools and materials.
2004 Prize winner at Impressions Print open submission, Galway Arts Centre
2003 Received a graduate award to Graphic Print Studios, Dublin.
