Siobhan Hapaska @ Kerlin Gallery, Dublin

At the very heart of Siobhán Hapaska’s work is a deep and sustained consideration of the complex nature of human relationships. Her sculptures, wall works and large-scale kinetic installations provide a sophisticated and nuanced articulation of our suspended state, creatures held in tension or equilibrium between powerful opposites. This exhibition features work from a new series of floor-based, concrete canvas sculptures, and wall works, which again draw our attention to formative contradictions within our society; freedom versus constraint, movement versus stagnation, nurture versus neglect and violence versus surrender. The artist’s innovative use of materials and restless experimental approach reflect her interest in such dualities, frequently embracing and celebrating stark contrasts; matt concrete is set against high gloss fibreglass, the organic plays off the synthetic, the monochrome versus intense colour, the hard meets the soft and the heavy works alongside the light.
In this show, two materials dominate – concrete canvas and acrylic wall sheeting. Both are relatively new products developed for the building industry.