OISIN Kelly has the distinction of being, if not by name than definitely through his many major public commissions, the best known Irish sculptor this century. That said, there has been little chance to appraise the full range of his talents. Now, 15 years after his death, a retrospective exhibition comprising many of Kelly's smaller works has been brought together by the Linenhall Arts Centre.
What is immediately striking from this exhibition is Kelly's diversity and also his technical ability, a true embodiment of the artist as craftsman ethic. His studies of figures are imbued with great movement and fluidity, clearly evident in works such as the dynamically expressive Boxed, The Rugby Pass and Dancing Couple. Kelly's understanding of animals is plain in the likes of Gannets and the evocative Herd Of Cattle while landscape is captured successfully in Cloud Over Nephin and the superbly realised Mountain Stream.
Religious subject matter, something always close to Kelly's heart, is represented by a fine Madonna And Child, typically avoiding cliche and instead presenting an image of humanity, contemplation and strength. A fine show.