Kevin Gavaghan is a self-taught artist originally from North London and now works from his studio in Hertford. His paintings are collected internationally and he is known for his brooding and evocative figurative paintings dancing around the fringes of surrealism and abstract art. His paintings are an inner journey of self-exploration and emotional memories of his life growing up in the 1970s in a large Irish family whilst coping with the complexity of life with Tourette’s and anxiety-related illnesses. He sees his past as a subconscious controlling influence on his present and uses his art as a way of responding to the impact of his youth.
Gavaghan touches on some challenging subjects, such as growing up with Tourette’s and anxiety, religion and politics within the Irish community, relationships and the loss of loved ones as well the challenges we all face but hide from our public persona. Part of his process is to collect images and photographs, as well as make notes and drawings that reflect a memory at a point in time. These inform the emotional connection that he feels about any given moment in his past. He creates organically and his paintings continue to develop throughout the process often changing their personality many times before settling on what he believes reflects a truth within his thoughts, much as he sees the development of his own life.
In more recent years he developed an eye condition called ‘Central Serous Retinopathy’ which can distort his vision. He chose to embrace this in his art and Gavaghan’s palette and application of bold vibrant colours dissect and bend his figures and portraits to the point of abstraction which, for Kevin, highlights the multi-layers of our inner emotions rather than the external likeness of his subject.
Self-taught or art school?
Self-taught
How would you describe your style?
I would describe it as visually fringe abstract surrealism. (with maybe a hint of Biomorphism). However physiologically I would describe it as emotionally realism. My paintings describe how I feel and also how I see. I have CSR which is fluid on my retina, it distorts the images in my vision. A bit like looking through a droplet of water on a window.
Is narrative important within your work?
Sometimes, but I think we can often get hung up on narrative. I leave that to the viewer. I try to paint my truth and I think it’s important to let my viewers interpret the reflection of my work upon them.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
I have many, I took to seeking out artists fairly late in my life maybe in my 30s. I love the work of artists like Jenny Saville, Francis Bacon, Gustav Klimt, Van Gogh, Paula Rego, Egon Schiele, Peter Howson, and George Condo – artists that challenge the viewer’s works that make me think, consider and reflect. The best work for me is a piece that grabs me, shakes me around and swears in my face, creates an emotional response. I also love Francesca Woodman’s photography, beautiful and powerful imagery, but such a sad story of her life. I am a fan of Billy Connolly’s drawing simple but so powerful.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Oo tough to choose, does it have to be one?? It would be either, Bacons Study for Bullfight No2, or a Klimt portrait…, I would love a Condo piece…aww too many to choose from, Let’s say a George Condo piece…any, I love the madness in his work.
What or who inspires your art?
Life inspires me but not so much the physical journey but more the mental journey. I paint a lot about my own life and memories and I would say I am a very open person in how I come across to people but I do keep a lot of emotions bottled up. That’s the stuff that comes out in my paintings. All the stuff that we as humans keep hidden from public view is like a second life. There is a third life too, the life invented for the world of social media. One could say increasing numbers of people have three lives. Our physical journey, our mental inner journey, and our media journey. I get inspired by the madness of living, the chaos all around us.
Are there any recurring themes within your work and can you tell us about them?
Memories often reoccur in my work, maybe not so noticeable to a viewer but I often refer back to a point or incident in time to gain a starting point for my work. The thing with my process is I may have a starting point, emotional memory/dream/thought but it often does not refer back to that point by the time the painting has finished. My work changes along the way, it takes on a life journey of its own.
Depending on external influences, or the growth from child to adulthood, its character and moods change and the emotion of the painting changes. I may start out painting something quite light but it may get p*ssed off halfway through and end up something quite dark or sad, or vice versa. It sounds a bit like Dorian Gray haha…but is not, I hope you get what I mean. I rarely give up on a painting, even when I may feel it’s not right, I keep going. It may take the time or more patience but it is all part of its growth.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I had a studio in Manor Park, east London up until 4 years ago. I have a studio in Hertford now. It’s amongst a nice community of creatives. It’s small, cold in winter and hot in summer, and very messy, it’s time for its bi-annual tidy up. . I need a bigger studio in truth. I am thinking about moving my studio again, maybe back to my home, full circle.
Do you have any studio rituals?
Yes. Music straight on, either a cup of tea or some food, can’t paint when I am hungry. Also, I have to make sure I have a clear mind, no ‘need to do’s lists’ hanging around in my head. So if the dogs need walking I get that done before I head over to the studio. I never quite know when I am going to finish (Usually my tummy might tell me but..) so I don’t have distractions pulling me away. Everything has to flow.
What are you working on currently?
I am working on two large figures. each on a separate canvas 2m tall, originally had this whole Adam and Eve thing going but it’s changing along with what is happening globally.
Where can we buy your art?
You can buy my art online via my website/ direct through me (just give me a call) or Singulart. I have links with a gallery called Zebra one in Hampstead. I have also sold work through Instagram DMs.
What are your ambitions?
To stay healthy, and happy and to continue to exhibit and sell my work, to have people appreciate it enough to hang a piece on their wall. Oh also if I can get a huge spacious studio someday that would be great.
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