TACTILITY
Nick Kealey Solo Show
Thistle Hall
9th-18th September 2005
Opening 5:30 9th September

Having worked as a plastering contractor, photographic technician and also making & fixing surfboards at different times throughout my career, I've always been intrigued by the results of the various chemical reactions inherent to these professions - the way different resins will produce high
or low gloss finishes; the facility of the darkroom(and now the computer) to create multiple images and experiment with exposure times and manipulate colour filters to obtain different effects and the variety of ways that 'plaster' can be utilised: shaped via moulds/drawn upon/3D screenprinted/carved - I have experimented with a lot of the possibilities that such mediums offer.

TACTILITY
Nick Kealey Solo Show
Thistle Hall
9th-18th September 2005
Opening 5:30 9th September

Having worked as a plastering contractor, photographic technician and also making & fixing surfboards at different times throughout my career, I've always been intrigued by the results of the various chemical reactions inherent to these professions - the way different resins will produce high
or low gloss finishes; the facility of the darkroom(and now the computer) to create multiple images and experiment with exposure times and manipulate colour filters to obtain different effects and the variety of ways that 'plaster' can be utilised: shaped via moulds/drawn upon/3D screenprinted/carved - I have experimented with a lot of the possibilities that such mediums offer.

I first started to focus on my current mixed media style (using gibboard as my 'canvas' and plaster as the basis of 'form') about 10 years ago. I had dicked about with some left over plaster on a piece of gibboard whilst working on a building contract and had returned to the job the following day to find the light hitting my improvised masterpiece in a very aesthetically pleasing manner on account of the surface having a variety of undulations/lines/splatters etc. the light hitting it from the side cast harsh shadows which 'moved' subtly thru the day as the light changed........hence changing the mood of the piece hour by hour.

With time and a fairly open mind I have discovered various techniques of manipulating the plaster so that I have now developed a 'palette' of methods with which I can express myself.

A central feature of using plaster is that one has to constantly be aware of the restrictions created by working within the mediums 'open' time........and in my specific case this has been a blessing.........always handicapped by a stifling perfectionism....the fact that once a mix is prepared, I have a limited time in which to 'place' my expression.......forces me to make decisions........hence this introduces a certain 'automatism' into my thing.......

Sometimes I work with a specific idea very well articulated in my head beforehand........the form/colours/'found objects' basically 'inplace' before I physically start to create the piece.....so that Im basically piecing a jigsaw puzzle together.......most of my social comment work has been accomplished in this manner.......some aspect of the society around me will 'move' me in a certain way(entertain me/disgust me/surprise me etcetc)....and after a suitable period of letting the 'issue' extemporise in my head....a direction/manner of expressing my thoughts/feelings will
occur......sometimes the whole kit and kiboodle emerges at once....sometimes its a long and drawnout process whereby the basic idea goes thru various changes before I feel that there is enough cohesion to communicate what it is I wish to put across.

Sometimes I work in a completely free fashion......ala abstract expressionism.....letting the piece flow out, unrestricted by any preconceived objective but rather allowing the 'emotional spontaneity' of the moment to act as the 'driver'.

Certain themes repeat in my work......much of my output focusses on creating an expression of flow, falling....space..... movement..... often employing a restricted palette so that contrast is maximised and implied movement emphasised.....using the reflective quality of a high
gloss finish helps to increase the perception of 'liquid flow'.

Music also provides alot of inspiration for much of my freer aesthetic work.....repetition...rhythm......tempo....key factors of musical composition, play an integral part in achieving a balanced and articulate visual work.
The majority of time I'm at work on a piece I have music playing and along with various other peripheral influences this often has a profound impact on the finished work.

With works that involve a social comment perspective......I have utilised
the 'found object' as an element of metaphor to provide greater access to
the idea being expressed. The inspiration for extending my medium to
include 'found objects'(plastic letters/barbie dolls/guns/syringes/rubber
gloves etc)......comes from an interest in Dada and Pop.........I find it
intriguing how a seemingly disparate and absurd mix of symbols/objects can combine to help form cohesive expression.