Japanese woodblock print

My work is minimal and reflective, with a tendency towards pared down refinement and stillness. My work distilling the most essential elements of perspective, each blocks and lines of colour punctuate a pictorial space. All of the work that I  present moves the viewer towards a sense of calmness and reflection. My work is predominately through woodblock printing and photography. In reference to my work ‘’it is inspired by architectural elements to create a visual interpretation of my urban surroundings. The aesthetics of manmade structural forms, fused with the ordinary, give a type of fragmented sensitivity.  In the pursuit of delicateness and refinement, the work presents a serene and solemn calm that is finished into carefully constructed prints.”

Originally from Kilkenny, Ann Kavanagh lives and works in Dublin. She graduated from IADT with an honour’s degree in Fine Art in 2004, where she received the Graduate Award from Graphic Studio Dublin and Blackchurch Print Studio. Ann Kavanagh has exhibited nationally and internationally; participating in residencies at MI-LAB – Japan, Crown Point Press – San Francisco, Druckstella – Berlin and Cill Rialaig Arts Centre – Kerry. In 2019 she was selected for Skills Transfer Program at the National Print Museum funded by Creative Ireland, where she presently facilitates Mokuhanga print workshops.

​Education:

Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology

Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Fine Art 2.1 - Photography and Fine Art Printmaking - 1999-2004

Achievements:

2023 received the The Céide Ladle Award at the First International Biennial Exhibition at the Ballinglen Arts Foundation and Museum of Art.

2022 received an Arts Council Agility award for practice development and collobration.

2021 received a dlr Arts Grant Scheme to develop my professional practice in book binding with Sandi Sexton.

2019 selected to be a participant on the Skills transfer programme at the National Print Museum.

2016 and 2018 selected to participate at MI-LAB, Lake Kawaguchico, Japan. MI-LAB (Mokuhanga Innovation Lab) is an artist-in-residence program designed to provide extensive knowledge of mokuhanga (water-based woodblock printmaking) and its techniques to international artists, printmakers and teachers of printmaking, as well as to enable them to make use of traditional tools and materials.

2004 Prize winner at Impressions Print open submission, Galway Arts Centre

2003 Received a graduate award to Graphic Print Studios, Dublin.

Exhibitions include:

2024

International Mokuhanga Conference IMC2024, Echizen City , Japan

Essence - a joint exhibition alongside Phelim Egan prints at Graphic Studio Gallery, Temple Bar, Dubin 2

Monochromatic - is co-curated by Catherine Daunt, Curator of modern and contemporary Graphic Art, British Museum
& Peter Brennan, Gallery Director, Graphic Studio Gallery.

Mór - Graphic Gallery, Dublin

Interdependent curated by Cian McLoughlin - Artnetdlr.

InBetween Curated by Patricia Burns - Artnetdlr

Crosscurrents – Collaboration with Aoife Dwyer, curated by Claire Halpin – Lexicon, Dun Laoghaire

Art Riddler – Charlemount Square, Dublin 2

Lido Open, Margate, UK

Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, Bankside Gallery, London

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, London 

Courthouse Gallery Open exhibition, Ennistymon, Co Clare

2023

The Ballinglen Arts Foundation and Museum of Art - First International Biennial Exhibition selected by Mick O’Dea PPRHA, artist and Ballinglen Arts Foundation board member, Carol Robertson and Rachelle Puryear. 

Mór - Graphic Gallery, Dublin

Expanded curated by Andrew Folan and Peter Brennan - Graphic Studio Gallery, Dublin

Line in Landscape - dlrMill Theatre, Dundrum

Transience curated by Carmel Benson - Artnetdlr

The Ballinglen Arts Foundation and Museum of Art First Biennial Exhibition

2022

Woolwich Print Fair, London

“New Prints Off the Block” mokuhanga exhibition - Richard F. Brush Art Gallery, Canton NY - September

“Emerging Practice”, curated by Donna Romano for Blackchurch Print Studio 40th anniversity

Graphic Print Gallery - Summer Show

“Open Book” curatored by Ann Kenny at the Blue Egg Gallery, Wexford

2021

Graphic Print Gallery – Summer and Winter Shows

The Art of Home Exhibition in a collaboration between the Simon Communities of Ireland and Graphic Studio, Dublin, supported by HLB Sheehan

International Mokuhanga Conference IMC2021 Nara, Japan – Sumi Fusion and Kanreki

Halftone Print Fair at the Library Project, Temple Bar, Dublin​

Discover Print 2021, Greenacres, Wexford

2020

Diamond Point - Graphic Print Gallery

Kanreki - The Model Sligo and Nara, Japan

Black Church Editions at The Library Project, Temple Bar, Dublin

Discover Print 2020, Greenacres, Wexford

In Confinement, Mokuhanga

60 Years of Graphic Print Studio, Dublin at Lexicon Dun Laoghaire

​Earth - ArtNetDLR online

​2019

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair.

imPRESSions Printmaking Biennial, Galway.

Cairde Visual, The Model, Sligo.

Hinterland Collaboration - ArtNetdlr, Eblana House, Dun Laoghaire.

2018

CfSHE Gallery (in 3331 Arts Chiyoda) Tokyo.

INPRINT BCPS members show Greenacres, Wexford.

137 Royal Ulster Academy - Annual exhibition, Belfast

VUE – National Contemporary Art Fair, RHA, Dublin.

Black Church Print Studio - Curiosity Cabinet.

Halftone Print Fair at the Library Project, Temple Bar, Dublin​ 2.

Winter Print Fair – National Print Museum, Dublin 4.

2017

Halftone Print Fair at the Library Project, Temple Bar, Dublin​ 2.

VUE – National Contemporary Art Fair, RHA, Dublin.

Art Source - RDS Dublin.

Unframed - Pier Printers, Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

CfSHE Gallery (in 3331 Arts Chiyoda) Tokyo.

IMC2017 Hawaii's "Beauty of Mokuhanga: Discipline & Sensibility".

imPRESSions Open Printmaking Biennial – Galway.

2016

Halftone Print Fair at the Library Project, Temple Bar, Dublin​ 2.

135 Royal Ulster Academy - Annual exhibition, Belfast.

Art Source - RDS Dublin.

Winter Fair, National Print Museum, Haddington Road, Dublin 4.

Dun Laoghaire Art Gallery - New prints.

​2015

Winter Fair, National Print Museum, Haddington Road, Dublin 4,

"Home" open submission at dlrLexicon, Dun Laogharie, Co Dublin.

2014

Dun Laoghaire Art Gallery

"Art on the Hill" Galerie Lisette, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow

2013

Botanic Gardens Dublin - "A Natural Selection".

Concourse, Dún Laoghaire “Pressed” contemporary printmaking, curated by Graphic Studio Dublin.

Center for Contemporary Printmaking’s 9th International Miniature Print Biennial Norwalk CT USA.

2012

Galerie Lisette, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

2011

Galerie Lisette, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

Mini Print International of Cadaqués, Spain.

Black Church Print Studio - Curiosity Cabinet.

“Draw the Line” – curated by Dr Ruth Pelzer-Montada - Monster Truck Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin.

2011 Guanlan International Print Biennial China.

Belfast Print Workshop Gallery – Relief Technique Group Exhibition

2009

Courtyard Printmakers at Airfield House, Dundrum, Co. Dublin

2008

"Node" - Original Print Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

National Print Studio Network Exhibition, curated by Raymond Henshaw.

Defining Space - Original Print Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 - Curated by Dr. Hugh Campbell and Felicity Clear.

2007

Courtyard Printmakers at Airfield, Airfield House, Dundrum, Co. Dublin

Black Church Print Studio – The Salon Show - Original Print Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 |Selected by Ann Hodge, Curator of Prints and Drawings from the National Gallery of Ireland and Jan de Fouw, founder member of the Black Church Print Studio.

Éigse Carlow Arts Festival – Open Selection

Original Print Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

2006

Group Show - Airfield House, Dundrum, Co. Dublin.

2005

EV+A Limerick City Gallery of Art - Curated by Dan Cameron – Senior Curator at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York.

BOXiD - Original Print Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Kilkenny Arts Week Fringe Festival

Iontas 16th National Small Works Art Exhibition -Sligo Art Gallery, Hyde Bridge, Sligo -Selector: Dr. Teresa Millet

Éigse Carlow Arts Festival – Open Selection - Carlow Institute of Technology - Curator Tim Goulding

Danske Grafikere - Danish Association of Printmaking Artists Gallery Copenhagen

2004

"Avent" - Showcase for emerging artists, Original Print Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Impressions - Galway Arts Centre, Galway, Curated by Mick Moon

RDS Art Student Award Scheme & Travelling Exhibition, Royal Dublin Society, Dublin and venues countrywide

Éigse Carlow Arts Festival – Open Selection, Carlow Institute of Technology - Selector Peter Fitzgerald, editor CIRCA Art Magazine

Graduate Exhibition (Degree) Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology

2003

RDS Art Student Award Scheme & Travelling Exhibition - Royal Dublin Society, Dublin and venues countrywide

Graduate Exhibition - Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology

"hungryangrysexy" at Concourse, Town Hall, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Collections:

Office of Public Works

IADT Dun Laoghaire Permanent Art Collection

AIB

Ulster Bank

Private collection in Ireland and abroad.