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
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Seachange Now, Brendan Foley, Director, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
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Michael Sheil Solicitors, Blackrock, Dublin
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Blackrock Essential Training, Dublin
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Stelfox Recruitment, Dublin
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Avoca Clinic, Co. Wicklow
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Turning Point, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
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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