TIME PLACE MEMORY
An exhibition of paintings by Kilkenny based artist George Vaughan.
George Vaughan is a respected painter and educator who has been making paintings for over forty years. This collection of abstract expressionist paintings marks an important step forward in Vaughan’s output. These works possess a spontaneity and fluidity of movement that breaks away from any kind of rigid categorisation. Vaughan continues to investigate the complexities of space that painting alone is able to conjure, drawing on the tension between organic and inorganic forms.
Vaughan's paintings are born from a particular experience, or in reaction to having spent time in a specific place. The title of the exhibition and catalogue TIME PLACE MEMORY is the foundation from which this trinity is born.
Time. A contemplation of time in relation to one’s own mortality, a life lived with vitality and purpose.
Place. The county of Kilkenny, where he has lived for over forty years, inspires and fuels the work itself. Memory. Ideas for paintings are gathered from many sources – from walking in the woods depicted in the painting Dark Pond; to a quick snapshot, or a strong feeling that stays with the artist to be mulled over and worked out later in the studio.
In many of the paintings, a triad is created by an internal border running down each side of the work. Vaughan thinks of these borders as a place for compositional reference, elaborating what’s going on in the central plain of the painting. It’s like a voyage across the work, resolved only towards the end of the painting.
Each painting is an organisation of varying speeds and intensities – a pragmatic practice of the abstract mixing and rearranging of data. At some points the paint is heavily applied and intensely visceral, at other times it is lucidly translucent, creating different temperatures and emotional qualities within a single picture plane. In Winter Pond, an opalescent painting of great beauty, centrifugal graphic nets radiating outwards adds to the sense of freshness and spontaneity these paintings engender. In Embers I and Embers II, the glowing colours and intricate patterns that lurk in the charcoal depths of burning embers, generated by winter bonfires, permeate the canvases.
Inherent in the work is a respect for the cycle of nature demonstrating that where there is death and decay, there is also life and growth. A committed gardener himself, Vaughan tends his plot throughout the seasons, watching it rest in winter and flourish come the spring. As a result of this, the symbolism of nature is never far from his meditations in the studio.
In TIME PLACE MEMORY, George Vaughan produced a refined body of work, simpler in style, employing a visual vocabulary reflective of the mature artist making work afresh.
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George Vaughan was born in Limerick in 1941 where he lived until he was twenty-seven. He studied at the Limerick School of Art, Limerick, the National College of Art, Dublin, Fischerkoesen Film Studios, Germany and the College of Music, Dublin. He has exhibited in many solo and group exhibitions throughout the country and was Course Director of Grennan Mill Craft School, Thomastown for almost thirty years. He lives in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. His work can be found in collections such as The Arts Council of Ireland, Office of Public Works, Butler Gallery, Limerick City Gallery and private collections in Ireland and abroad.
Dearbhla has been practicing yoga for over 20 years, the more she practiced she noticed how grounded and calm she was after yoga. In time the physical rewards became secondary to the mental and spiritual impact of her practice. Yoga and meditation has both become an integral part of her daily life.
Dearbhla currently practices and teaches Vinyasa, Yin and Restorative yoga and Meditation.And she believes through the practice of yoga we can find balance, clarity and stillness of the mind.
Dearbhla has trained extensively and has vast experience teaching retreats both in Ireland and Internationally, she has been the resident teacher at the Cliffs of Moher for 4 years. She also teaches in Little Bird and Samadhi yoga. And in 2020 and 2021 Dearbhla has been teaching online via Zoom!
Dearbhla is very interested in healing and trauma in the body, her retreats have a focus on healing and letting go of all stress, connecting to a place of peace and calm that is always there.
For more information on Dearbhla visit http://dearbhlaglynn.com/
Ballymaloe House has a reputation for delivering delicious food. All meals will be served in the beautiful surroundings of the Ballymaloe Dining rooms with produce sourced from the walled garden and local area. Each meal will be a delicious experience to nourish and rejuvenate.
Dearbhla will lead a warming Vinyasa flow practice in the mornings. Practicing several sun salutations with a different variations. The overall practice is slow, moving mindfully with the breath. Holding some poses a little longer to develop strength and generate warmth in the body. We will flow through different transitions improving overall body awareness and opening the joints, while also strengthening and lengthening the muscles. The practice is slow, warming and requires some physical stamina yet it has a lovely meditative and mindful quality to it. Dearbhla will offer modifications for any of the more challenging poses and rest is always an option! Creating an overall feeling of stillness and calm.
This is a lovely practice which focuses on breathing, stretching and relaxing before lunch.
Slow down, unwind and restore your energy with a ninety minute Yin Yoga and restorative practice, aiming to calm the mind, stretch and relax the body. This two-hour practice will create space and stillness in both the mind and body. Yin yoga targets the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones and even the joints, and releases tension and stress in the body.
The focus is simply about letting go of stress and tension, releasing into a deep yin practice followed by a long restorative practice using bolsters and blankets so people can relax, unwind and recharge. Dearbhla will use relaxing essential oils during the restorative practice for an even more relaxing experience.
Come take sanctuary in the beautiful grounds of Ballymaloe House and Grainstore.
We promise to nurture you and create a safe space where you can rest, reflect, reconnect with yourself. Our retreats are for those of us who really want to rest and take some time out to self care, reflect, unwind and simply let go of all stress.
Ballymaloe is is a beautiful, nourishing environment, you are in a safe and cosy cocoon of comfort, where every detail of your stay has been thought of.
All you have to do is show up and we will make sure you have a wonderful, restful stay
There is plenty of time to reconnect with yourself, move, stretch, rest and reset.
Your bedroom in Ballymaloe will be spacious and comfortable.
Ballymaloe Grainstore, as the name suggests is an old grainstore that was turned into a multipurpose venue by Rory Allen. The large airy space offers a calm light filled area for you to practice yoga in a safe and covid friendly environment.
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