Orla Kelly

autobiografisch - schilderen - soft sculptures - tekenen - textiel

My works are observations, exaggerations and my own interpretations of moments of intimacy, adoration, giddiness, lust, love, obsession, possessiveness, entitlement, and anger. I like to question these moments, and how they represent the dualities within relationships. I like thinking about how opposing feelings exist simultaneously and I want to express these emotional contradictions in my works. I like creating stories and narratives about how I interact with others, or how I see others interacting. I tell these stories using paint, coloring pencils, oil pastels, and lots of textiles. The process is an important moment in my practice. I like to use vibrant colours, blocky shapes, and bold patterns to play with the tone and context of the stories I'm telling, or moments I'm highlighting.


Repair Workshops

Workshop

  • 24-08-2022 t/m 30-04-2023
  • In samenwerking met: Primark
  • Locatie: Cork, Ireland, Cork
  • Since March I have been teaching clothing and textile repair workshops. Often traveling back to Ireland to teach these classes for a sustainability initiative for Primark called 'Primark Cares'. These are really nice moments to share my love for slow fashion and textiles and getting to meet and reach a really wide audience and share conversation about textiles and clothing.
  • https://www.orla-kelly.com

Bacon and Eggs

Project

  • 30-01-2023 t/m 09-02-2023
  • 'Bacon and Eggs' tells a story of a repeated morning ritual shared between two lovers. Their affection, but also dependency highlighted by the small acts and habits they share. Domestic symbols from around the kitchen come in pairs to reinforce the role of the couple. Representing the relationship between my parents, and worn by them, the project consists of two large tufted garments. The egg garment wears a tufted salt and pepper hat, and the bacon wears a tufted knife and fork hat.
  • https://www.orla-kelly.com/breakfast