Richard Hearns

Overview

In this series I would like to invite you to experience a unique cultural ‘Enclave’, a territory marked out not by traditional lines, borders and language but by something beyond these bounds—colour.

My dual heritage has greatly influenced and inspired these works. The Irish have always had an outward looking perspective and a unique identity in the world.

Likewise, throughout history, the Lebanese people have covered great expanses in order to explore, learn, trade and grow. I endeavour to continue these traditions of exploration, discovery and expression through the medium of paint.

While painting, surrounded by the ancient Burren landscape, I attempt to articulate each painting as an extension of the physical ground, sea and sky, as much as the painting also materializes my reminiscences of colours and natural phenomena. It is my hope that when you see this work you will also engage in a journey of discovery of what we observe and remember.

Richard Hearns

The Burren

2021

Cadogan Contemporary is delighted to announce the second solo exhibition of works by painter Richard Hearns. Entitled Enclave this series of paintings explores the concepts of multi-cultural belonging, identity and traditions of exploration.

Hearns paints in the wild landscape of The Burren national park in County Clare, Ireland, an ancient natural landscape which emphasises these traditions of exploration, discovery and expression through the medium of paint. Each painting in the series was made as an extension of the physical surroundings, earth, sea and sky and materialises Hearns' reminiscences of colours and natural phenomena. This will be the artist's second solo show at Cadogan in London.

The paintings, many of which are life-size - literally the same height as the artist and spanning the width of his outstretched arms - are intensely physical acts, drawing inspiration from the discipline of martial arts, of which Hearns is a practitioner, and the rhythmic nature the rural idyll where he lives and works.