
Kevin Patrick Callaghan
Hometown: Donegal
Based in: Glasgow
Hometown: Donegal
Based in: Glasgow
Kevin Callaghan received his artistic training in ceramic sculpture and pottery and began moulding clay from a young age. The ductile and reactive nature of this material led him to develop an emotional relationship with clay. with this, he began a personal interpretation of form and the possibilities for its synthesis and abstraction. Influenced on the one hand by mechanical engineering design, and, on the other hand, by traditional Japanese craftsmanship, the artist has spent the last years creating a number of geometric hand-build sculptures.
In line with Callaghan’s practice, these microstructures, while appearing to be constructed according to an analogous geometrical ratio, are in fact unique. Each piece was created through practice-led research and possesses sui generis qualities. This tension between likeness and diversity challenges the viewer’s ability to categorize the forms. This cognitive procedure intertwines with the warm materiality of the clay, its and the chalky white residue aesthetic left after their firing. questions the origins of the object. Kevin's aim for these series of objects and their processes of subjective engagement are to push our current experience towards new possibilities – towards as-yet unappreciated realities.
"The pholsophies of one does not depend solely on the kind of person one is.It depends more essentially on the time in which one lives and, above all the way in which one belongs to that time."Ernest Bloch uber den gegenwartigan stand der philosophive 1950
What inspires you?
I have always been very inspired by Japanese esthethics, color and form. Architecture and life itself. I also so a keen interest in the future and the stars around me.
Describe your creative process.
I often pace around the round before I start to draw, when I start to draw I draw sections to begin building with the clay. I start to develope complexs area and build up a language from there. I spontaniously make dicisions based around my thought process and the influances I have gained throught my processes.
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
Donald Judd, Richard Beacon, Brigid Riley, Liam Gillick.
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
A folk for joining aresa of clay together
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
"Dont ever take your foot off the pedel"
2 Articles
The Artling's 2022 Holiday Guide: Artwork Gift Ideas
October 12, 2022
10 Geometric Wall Sculptures for Corporate Offices
June 03, 2022