An Ancient Land - The Hunt Museum

An Ancient Land

New exhibition at the Hunt Café by James Wellwood.

 

May 2, 2023 - June 30, 2023

Painting of a forest with tall trees and a narrow path leading into the distance. Lush greenery and purple flowers create a serene, ancient atmosphere. Text reads
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Artist Statement

My work centres on our sense of place, where we as humans fit into the natural world due to our need to urbanise terrains and have control over our surroundings. I aim to put an emphasis on effectively the unobserved and often most striking elements of the natural world that are often overlooked and hidden in plain sight that can generally influence how we shape and alter our environment through utilizing bright and vibrant colours within various materials and mediums like painting, sculpture, print and photography. This current series of works is related to the idea of our connection with bogs, with Abbeyleix bog in Laois being the inspiration behind these pieces. I chose to use the mediums of photography to take direct snapshots of the bog as it naturally is, the cyanotypes to create imprints of the plant life endemic to this fragile ecosystem and as for the oil paintings, I felt they are strong examples of how I want to put an artistic emphasis on the unseen colours that occur within our native peatlands. 

 

Artist Biography

James Wellwood is a Kilkenny based artist that specializes in painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture. His works reflect his keen interest in the colours, shapes, and patterns of the Irish landscape. Beginning his Art education at Ormonde College in Kilkenny, James completed his level five and six certificates in Fine Art before going on to study painting at Limerick School of Art and Design where he is currently continuing a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Painting.

Impressionist-style painting of a meadow with lush green grass, swaying stalks, and blooming pink flowers. The scene feels vibrant and serene.
A delicate white botanical silhouette on a deep blue background, resembling a cyanotype print. The thin, branching plant conveys a calm, natural elegance.
A painted trail extends into a dense forest with tall trees and green foliage. Purple flowers line the path, creating a serene, inviting atmosphere.
Abstract white line drawing of a classical statue's profile on a dark background. Swirling patterns create a dramatic, contemplative mood.
A serene landscape painting depicts a wooden path winding through a golden marsh under a cloudy blue sky, evoking tranquillity and solitude.
Reflection of trees with autumn foliage in rippling water, creating a blurred, abstract image with blue, green, and yellow tones, conveying tranquillity.
Painting of a bird with outstretched wings soaring in a light blue sky. The bird's details contrast subtly with the muted background, conveying serenity.
Heather plants with small purple and pink flowers densely cover the ground, surrounded by lush green foliage. The scene conveys a serene, natural beauty.
A serene landscape painting shows a light blue sky with wispy clouds and a faint rainbow arching over a brown, grassy field. The mood is calm and peaceful.
White fern cross pattern on denim-like blue background, creating a contrast. The texture is detailed, evoking a natural, serene, and rustic feel.
A blurry, shadowy figure stands on a vast, earthy landscape beneath a vivid blue sky. The scene evokes solitude and mystery.

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