sculpture and photography by artist Alex Keatinge
writing by artist and art writer Hannah Francesca
Online: October 1 - 31st, 2024
Early Plastic is a project by visual artist Alex Keatinge and art writer and visual artist Hannah Francesca. Alex and Hannah engaged in this project remotely between Dublin and Berlin. Through a shared google drive, Alex sent Hannah images of works in progress, sketches and research images and Hannah sent back words in response. Without any further communication, Alex using strictly images and Hannah strictly words, they each created work inspired by the other.
Alex created a small body of new sculptural work and printed images and Hannah an experimental text. Hannah’s text is not an exhibition text, review or in any way a direct description of Alex's artworks. It reads like a standalone poem constructed from memories brought up by viewing Alex’s work. The flashbacks are sensory and visceral, strongly linked to the body.
The work explores plasticity in psychology; the ability to change and adapt because of experience. Themes of coming of age, moments of change or personal growth occur in both Alex and Hannah’s work.
-
(sandwich) Hannah Takes a Big Bite (the sculpture tastes great), 2024
epoxy resin, pigment print, cast aluminium, stainless steel, sandwich paper
(football) Crocodile Tears, 2024
epoxy resin, acetate
(half time oranges) At Half Time, 2024
epoxy resin, pigment
(sleeves, scissor) Soft Spot, 2024
epoxy resin, pigment print, cast bronze
(clementines) Easy Peelers
epoxy resin, pigment, assorted dried flowers
(bouquet) You’ve Only Given Me a Flower, I Wish I Had the Whole Bouquet, 2021
epoxy resin, pigment print
(Brigid’s cross) All Were Welcome At Her Door, 2021
epoxy resin, pigment print
(rubber band ball) Grounded, 2021
cast bronze
(haircut) Early Plastic, 2024
archival pigment print on Hahnemühle photo rag 308gsm, ash frame.
framed dimensions 520 x 420mm.
(olives) At Arm's Length, 2024
archival pigment print on Hahnemühle photo rag 308gsm, custom stainless steel frame.
framed dimensions 225 x 160mm.
(bear) Side Sleeper, 2024
archival pigment print on Hahnemühle photo rag 308gsm, aluminium frame.
framed dimensions 400 x 600mm.
(pear, packaging) An Obvious Pair, 2023
archival pigment print on Hahnemühle photo rag 308gsm, aluminium frame.
framed dimensions 297 x 420mm
(pear, chair) After Dinner, 2024
archival pigment print on Hahnemühle photo rag 308gsm, aluminium frame.
frames dimensions 297 x 420mm
Alex Keatinge is a visual artist working across sculpture and photography. With mould making and photography being key tools in her practice, her work often explores the commonalities between the two and draws upon the intrapersonal and the material extended self to create objects that pace the line between knowingness and uncertainty.
Since graduating with a BA(Hons) in Art from IADT (2019), she was the recipient of the Ormond Art Studios Graduate Residency Award (2019) which culminated with a solo show at Ormond titled ‘Checking In’. She most recently exhibited at ‘Art Works!’ Pallas P/S auction at the Irish Georgian Society (May 2023), ‘Deliverables’, an Artist Initiated Projects group show at Pallas P/S Dublin (April 2022), ‘You Breathe Differently Down Here’ at Draiocht Dublin (March/April 2022) and at the Pallas ‘Periodical Review #9’ (2019/20). She has worked with screen service as a peer curator on the Collision project 2023/2024. Keatinge lives and works between Kildare and Dublin.
Hannah Francesca is a visual artist and emerging art adjacent writer. She graduated with a BA hons in Art from IADT and was awarded the Faculty Thesis Award for academic excellence in the Departments of Design+Visual Arts and Film+Media. Her work has been featured in Irish literary magazines which most recently include Bloomers and a digital publication for New Irish Creatives Festival, Berlin.
She is also one half of CRÓ Collective, a Berlin based art collective with visual artist Lauren Wilson. This year CRÓ will bring two interactive art installations to Zeitgeist Irland 24.
She is currently interested in laughter, the language that surrounds it and the spaces where it is accepted. She is playful and begs to be interacted with which her work reflects. She is interested in myth, memory and correspondence.
This project was kindly supported by the Arts Council of Ireland’s Agility Award 2023.