Strule Arts Centre to host launch event for upcoming ‘Rapture’ exhibition

Members of the public are invited to attend Strule Arts Centre for the launch of the upcoming ‘Rapture’ exhibition, a showcase of pieces by acclaimed artist Cathy Carman. The event, taking place on Thursday 5 September at 7pm, is free to attend and marks the official opening of the exhibition.

Cathy Carman was born in Portlaoise and studied sculpture at the National College of Art and Design, Dun Laoghaire and is widely acclaimed for her figurative work in wood, stone, bronze and ceramic. A member of Aosdana, Cathy exhibits regularly, both in-group and solo shows both in Ireland and abroad, and in more recent work has used digital imaging, natural materials found objects and sound to contextualise and counterpoint the figure.

Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Elaine Brough, said:
“I am delighted that Strule Arts Centre is hosting this exhibition of new works by Cathy Carman.

Each piece is thought-provoking and conveys its own story and I would like to commend Cathy on how you have used the bronze to reflect the various emotions. I would encourage everyone to come along and view these exquisite pieces while they are on display in our District.

The Council is committed to promoting and enabling access to the arts and having venues such as Strule Arts Centre to host acclaimed artists like Cathy, help us to achieve this.”

Speaking about the exhibition Cathy said,

’For me, these sculptures are about ‘rapture’, about a manifestation of ecstasy, joy and passion. I find the female form carries a sense of being as otherness, so one could say the work is a personal perspective on being female.

Bronze is a material with broad spectrum of possibilities, from cold to warm, as well as from strength to fragility. There is something solid about bronze, and then the colours I use are sometimes rich reds or subtle hues, with which I try to capture various emotions.’

The exhibition runs until Saturday 28 September, from 9.30am – 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Admission is free.

For further information about this exhibition or Strule Arts Centre’s upcoming events visit www.struleartscentre.co.uk