Threads exhibition opens at Townhall Arts Centre

An air of tranquility and peace embraces you. The exhibition room at Cavan Townhall Arts Centre is dimly lit, casting light only on the works by the three nagOffsite artists; Jane Proctor Upon stepping into the nagOffsite exhibition at from Ireland, Selma Dronkers from the Netherlands and Kohei Nakata from Japan. Also included in the exhibition titled Threads are four textiles by anonymous sources, two from Japan, one from India and one from Africa. Placed with the artist’s work they compliment the shared interest in weaving present in each piece.

Exhibition Designer and nagOffsite Director Mark St.John Ellis is putting the final touches to the exhibition on Thursday ahead of its opening when The Anglo-Celt calls.

The largest piece, and the first the eye is drawn to upon stepping into the room is that of Irish artist Jane. It spans almost from floor to ceiling and comprises a series of lines painted on Japanese Kozo shi paper, which looks as if they have been delicately weaved by hand. The work is from Jane’s Altar Piece series which references the detailed and time-consuming craft of the women who used to make altar pieces.

Mark describes the effort Jane has gone to in creating the piece.

“Jane has created what at first glance looks like a blue textile but on closer examination shows the tiny white lines she has painted on a blue surface of Japanese Kozo shi paper. This is an example of how an audience is invited to take their time in discovering a work of art that a cursory glance cannot,” he said.

He mentions words such as “laborious” and “discipline” when describing the effort that went into the work, which draws the eye in a calming rhythm from left to right, up and down the long and delicate lines.

This piece and the others which hang deftly on the black wall surface, speaks to the overall philosophy that runs through nagOffsite.

Using the artists’ work, Mark aspires to “slow the viewers’ experience down by creating atmospheres that inspire tranquility and harmony” similar to that which may be found in a place of worship.

Each shift in stance reveals a different illusion or viewpoint in the work, encouraging you to slow down, relax and focus on the piece in front of you.

“Cavan Town-hall Arts Centre and Gallery is one of the rare opportunities of creating an installation in a confined darkened space that enhances the atmosphere of the project’s philosophy,” he said.

“All the nag artists share a common interest in work that demonstrates reduced, repetitive mark making in the form of meditative drawing or painting that creates quiet, abstract works that when exhibited together create a sense of harmony and tranquility.”

The exhibition opened to the public on February 22 and runs until Thursday April 3. Cavan Townhall Arts Centre Gallery is open from 10am - 4pm Tuesday to Friday and opens at 11am on Saturday, where members of the public can view the work.

There will be an official opening of the exhibition with a small publication and three other nagOffsite catalogues available with a talk by Mark St.John Ellis to be announced through the various mailing lists and Cavan Arts website.

Mark can be contacted at mark.nagallery@gmail.com for any further queries.