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I am a Dublin-born artist and this is where my studio practice is based.  I make large-scale paintings and sculptures.

The subjects that spark my curiosity relate to the nature of our reality,  perception and consciousness and how everything exists in relation to something else.  Following this line of inquiry, I am interested in understanding how it is that we perceive the world as we do.  There are  many factors involved - known and unknown - and at the core is a longing to find meaning and to make sense of our existence.  I have more question than answers.  

Colour features strongly in my work.  Relationships are never more evident than in simultaneous contrast, that is, when one colour is laid next to another.  My paintings begin with a colour and one colour follows another, forms emerge - all is in a process of becoming.  

My approach is processed-based and haptic involving an ever-growing array of materials: Oils, copper earth rods, basalt plaster, aluminium wire, wire mesh, fabric and videography.  Although I adopt formalist concerns, such as the compositional elements of colour, line, shape form and texture, I am inclined towards acknowledging the mark of the artist’s hand and factors of subjectivity, while engaging with materials.

 

As a multi-disciplinary artist, I draw from rich contemporary wells including where cutting-edge science and art intersect.  I am influenced by the expressive, experimental aesthetics of the mid-century Abstract Art Movement; the Art Informel movement in Europe, CoBrA Movement and, in particular, by American Abstract Expressionism.  Some contemporary artists of interest are: - David Reed, Julie Mehretu, Juan Uslé, Jessica Stockholder, Isa Genzen, Tomma Abts, Donald Baechler, Sarah Sze and Gillian Ayres.

KAREN EBBS

www.karenebbs.com     Instagram: karen.ebbs      karenebbs@gmail.com       

 

Selected Education

 

2023         Masters in Fine Art, Painting National College of Art and Design

2021         BA  (First Class Hons)  Degree, in Fine Art, Painting, HighlyCommended, NCAD

2020         Alumni of the RHA, Dublin

  

2016-19    RHA.   Mentored, Drawing and Painting programmes, Self-Directed and Masterclasses

2013-15    Drawing Studio Dublin, Bargue Studies, Drawing Course

 

 

Selected Solo Exhibitions

 

2022      Farmleigh House OPW, Cowshed Gallery,  I AM more Blue than YOU,

               YOU ARE more Green than ME.

2022      The Lab Gallery, Dublin, Wild Accumulations.  Curated by Sheena Barrett

2013      Rockpools & Constellations, In Aid of Indreni, Childrens’ Charity, Nepal.

2009      The Galley, Dalkey Castle, Dream Into Being,
2008      Red Stables Gallery, Clontarf, Transcendence,

2008      The Gallery, Dalkey Castle,Transcendence,  

2005      The Gallery, Dalkey Castle,Freedom Within, Freedom Without

 

Selected Group Exhibitions 

 

2023     Royal Hibernian Academy, 193rd RHA Annual Exhibition

2023     Hang Tough Contemporary, Selected, Winter Print Show and Limited Edition Print Contract

2022     National Treasury Management Agency, Dublin, Painting as Expression of Humanity,

2022     The Lab Gallery, New Beginnings.. Co-Curators: Sheena Barrett and Karen Ebbs

2021     Hang Tough Contemporary, Winter Print Show, and Limited Edition Print Contract

2021      MENDX Harold’s Cross, Lucky No. 7.   Co-Curator: Karen Ebbs.

2021     Art Net Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Metamorphosis, (Juried Selection)

2021     Farmleigh House OPW, Pluid Project, in aid of Pieta House, Dublin. Curator: Claire Halpin

2021     Art Net Dun Laoghaire, Revival,

2021     National Treasury Management  Agency, Dublin ,Positives: Painting in the Pandemic

2021     Art Net Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Transition, online exhibition

2021     Hambly & Hambly, Enniskillen, Fermanagh, Hark Winter Show

2019     The NCAD Gallery,Trajectory,  in aid of The Rape Crisis Centre, Dublin

2019     Collaborative Well-being project, NCAD, A Quiet Space

2018     NCAD Sybil Connelly, Dublin, Liminal Space, A Process Space

2014     Pearse Museum, Dublin

2013     The Council of European Union Brussels HQ Justus Lipsius Building

2012     London Design Festival, selected by the Crafts Council of Ireland

2009     Barbara Stanley Gallery, London

2009     The Kenny Gallery, Galway, 2009 and 2010

2007     Gormley Fine Art - Spring and Summer group shows. 2007-2010

 

Awards from Arts Council and DLRD Co. Council 

 

2022     Agility Award Round 1, The Arts Council of Ireland 

2022     Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Council Professional Development Grant Award

 

Publications

 

2023     Visual Artists Ireland, Newsletter, Jan/Feb issue.  Commissioned by VAI, Joanne Laws

 

2021     Art Folio Annual 2022 Award. Publication featuring work

2019     HCE Review Award, UCD,Literary Journal. Featured in the Apr 2019 edition

2019     The Conscious Pebbles, Karen Ebbs response to (Wolfgang Tillmans' exhibition) NCAD Zine

 

Talk Series:  At IMMA and The Complex, We Need To Talk About Painting, WNTTAP

Initiated, organised and co-hosted by Karen Ebbs found on SoundCloud

https://soundcloud.com/karen-ebbs/wnttap-complex-talk-241122

https://soundcloud.com/karen-ebbs/wnttap-complex-talk-031122

https://soundcloud.com/karen-ebbs/wnttap-complex-talk-271022

Residencies Awards and Reviews

 

2022     Hang Tough Contemporary Award, Limited Edition Print Contract and Winter Show

2021     Clancy Quay Professional Development Programme Award

2021     The John Richardson French Residency Award, shortlisted.  Catalogue Feature.

2021     Hang Tough Contemporary Award, Limited Edition Print Contract and Winter Show

2021     Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Residency 

2014     Hartwig Knack, Curator and Art Historian, Structures of Nature - Karen Ebbs’ Emotional  Paintings, Review            

2009     Cill Rialaig Residency Award,  Co. West Kerry, 2009 and 2010

 

Collections

 

  • Seachange Now, Brendan Foley, Director, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

  • Michael Sheil Solicitors, Blackrock, Dublin

  • Blackrock Essential Training, Dublin

  • Stelfox Recruitment, Dublin

  • Avoca Clinic, Co. Wicklow

  • Turning Point, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

  • Book Cover Painting Design, Peacemonger, Author, Paddy McMahon (deceased)

 

Memberships

 

Alumni of the Royal Hibernian Academy

Visual Artists Ireland, Professional Membership

Art Net Dun Laoghaire, Professional Membership

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