Cumhacht an Chaisleáin by Alex Keogh

Exhibition & Artist Talk | December 1 - 13, 2021

Press Release  December 2021

The Darkroom is delighted to present Cumhacht an Chaisleáin, a body of work created by Visual Artist Alex Keogh during her Photographic Artist in Residence at The Darkroom. This is Keogh’s first solo show.

Cumhacht an Chaisleáin (Power of the Castle) came into being during the time of Covid-19. This was a time that you could explore places that were once hidden due to the busy demands of daily life.

The silence that became a norm forced me to notice my surroundings and within the 2k limit, I got to explore the area I grew up in as an adult for the first time. One particular place that drew me in was the remnants of a castle I had never seen before. I felt remorse that I had not noticed it previously as it was within walking distance of my home. Without the sudden stillness, I may have never discovered it.

Curiosity drew me in, and when I explored this place I felt an important connection in a time when you weren’t allowed to connect to others. In this abandoned space, imagined figures came to mind. The history of the space could be felt and realised in the ruins. In a time of isolation, I was able to find something equally isolated from the normal hustle and bustle of daily life. The castle became a bridge to an other-worldly place of calm that I could connect to. A place I could gather my thoughts, let go, and recharge in a time of complete chaos. And most importantly, it is a place who’s lost narrative I wanted to bring back to life through my work.

Making Of The Work

Within the work, I concentrated on mixed-media photographic work and print. By placing different material on the images I was able to conjure up the evocative feeling of a presence I felt in the surroundings of the castle. This materiality allowed me to tell a narrative and bring life back into an isolated structure.

Through using old paper and analogue darkroom techniques I was able to convey the essence of timelessness and depict an other-worldly place.

Alex Keogh | Bio

Alex Keogh is a visual artist and printmaker from Dublin. She graduated with an Honours in Fine Art Printmaking from the National College of Art and Design in 2020. She became a member of the Black Church Print Studio upon receiving the 1st prize John Kelly RHA award for her high contrast yet delicate photographic work. 

https://www.instagram.com/alexkeoogh/

Cumhacht an Chaisleáin (Power of the Castle)

Opening Night | December 1 | 6pm-8pm

Artist Talk | December 13 | 6.30pm