Andrea Byrne | Imagining Animals
Opening Reception: Sunday 4th June, 3 – 5pm
The starting point for this series of drawings comes from the artist’s interest in the complex and sometimes troubling relationships humans have with animals. Their docility, fearfulness or predatory nature have an effect on us in the wild or through contact as domestic pets.
Along with animals the artist has used graphite on paper to illustrate life models in a fictional location. As a distortion of the real figure drawing environment, things are cluttered with chaotic objects and beasts that the sitter looks out on. In staying still the model must detach themselves from their surroundings.
The artist’s intention is to make the ink on paper work appear more decorative. The cat’s bed displays the remains of its prey, like a collage. A microcosm of its life and a symbolic representation of the cat’s nature. One that appears cruel and detached.
Andrea Byrne graduated from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin studying Fine Art. She returned to drawing a few years ago. Decorative arts have been one of the artist’s many interests and ornamental work influences much of the body of her work. Over the years the artist’s studies have included stone carving, textile print and glass work. She has explored drawing in different materials for the exhibition such as ink, pencil and charcoal which are flexible and perfect for quick expression.