Beschreibung:

� JOHN SHINNORS (b.1950) Badgers Underland II Oil on canvas, 60 x 86cm Signed; also signed and inscribed verso A Limerick artist, John Shinnors has made his mark on the Irish art scene through his expressive, semi-abstract motifs, often returning again and again to a similar theme. His badger series explores the curious world of these relatively mysterious creatures, showing us an intimate glimpse into their daily lives. As is customary in Shinnors work, the badgers have been broken down into loose geometric forms, soft traces of the figures coming together to construct a solid representation in the viewers mind. With a limited palette, Shinnors relies heavily on texture to bring life to his forms, with the resin used within the upper half of the painting imitating the waxy quality of a badgers hair. The rough brushstrokes used throughout stimulate movement within the piece and we can imagine the young cubs nudging and jostling each other for space. Despite a badgers sett typically being around three metres below ground, Shinnors has infused his work with a gentle light, generating a sense of warmth and security. Breaking from his usual monochromatic theme, the yellow used swings our gaze from the bottom left corner along a diagonal to the right, ensuring that the four separate bodies are noted. For Shinnors, this was a bold colour choice as he was quoted in 1987 by the Irish Arts Review as being very cautious around yellow, only ever using it sparingly as a break between other hues. Whilst it is not the dominating colour, the yellow here plays a strong role in anchoring the image, its buttery tones pushing through the overlying, darker layers. The yellow at the side also enables Shinnors to shift his composition off-centre, a characteristic emphasised by the exposed canvas edge running along the bottom of the painting. This condenses the image within definite boundaries, simulating the cramped quarters of underground living. Within this small space, we are given a view of the affection between a mother and her young, the emotional connection entwined with the warmth of the yellow and acting as a base for the entire composition. Helena Carlyle, 2019 � JOHN SHINNORS (b.1950) Badgers Underland II Oil on canvas, 60 x 86cm Signed; also signed and inscribed verso A Limerick artist, John Shinnors has made his mark on the Irish art scene through his expressive, semi-abstract motifs, often returning again and again to a similar theme. His badger series explores the curious world of these relatively mysterious creatures, showing us an intimate glimpse into their daily lives. As is customary in Shinnors work, the badgers have been broken down into loose geometric forms, soft traces of the figures coming together to construct a solid representation in the viewers mind. With a limited palette, Shinnors relies heavily on texture to bring life to his forms, with the resin used within the upper half of the painting imitating the waxy quality of a badgers hair. The rough brushstrokes used throughout stimulate movement within the piece and we can imagine the young cubs nudging and jostling each other for space. Despite a badgers sett typically being around three metres below ground, Shinnors has infused his work with a gentle light, generating a sense of warmth and security. Breaking from his usual monochromatic theme, the yellow used swings our gaze from the bottom left corner along a diagonal to the right, ensuring that the four separate bodies are noted. For Shinnors, this was a bold colour choice as he was quoted in 1987 by the Irish Arts Review as being very cautious around yellow, only ever using it sparingly as a break between other hues. Whilst it is not the dominating colour, the yellow here plays a strong role in anchoring the image, its buttery tones pushing through the overlying, darker layers. The yellow at the side also enables Shinnors to shift his composition off-centre, a characteristic emphasised by the exposed canvas edge