Sulphur is an exhibition of new work by visual artist Orla Whelan. Building on her longstanding interest in geology and colour, in 2025 Orla undertook research in collaboration with The Fold art and geology group, focusing on specimens of elemental sulphur from UCC's rock collection. Initially drawn to the intense colour, Orla's research interests deepened to include the invisible crystalline structure embedded within the rocks various outward formations, as well as its historical roles in alchemy, industry and astronomy. Representing the soul in alchemy, sulphur was considered to be one of the three primes (along with mercury and salt) from which all matter was comprised, and from which any material could be created. In addition to its transformative potential and intense array of yellows, the artist considers its hidden chromatic capacities - while lemon-yellow in solid form, sulphur becomes a molten red liquid and emits a blue flame when burned. Weaving science, intuition, materiality and magical thinking through the formal language of abstraction and the materials of painting, this exhibition of new work presented at Lavit Gallery includes a
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More on Wed 24 Jun |
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