Teacher who returned to art after ten-year break holds first solo exhibition

Artist and teacher Frank Boyce is having a solo exhibition at Artlink, Fort Dunree, after returning to producing art during the pandemic following a ten-year break.

Left Field will run from March 11 to April 7 at the Saldanha Gallery, offering viewers an exploration of contemporary themes through Boyce's artistic lens.

Born in Downings and a teacher at Mulroy College in Milford for over 20 years, Frank brings a background in fine and applied art, graduating from the University of Ulster, Belfast, in 2001. After a hiatus, Boyce returned to art during the pandemic's first lockdown, continuing his exploration of human condition, politics, religion, and social issues.

Speaking ahead of the new exhibition, Frank said: “I’m pleased to be having my first solo show at this location in my home county. My new solo exhibition delves into the complexities of the modern age, characterised by technological advancement, climate crisis, economic instability, and a hybrid digital existence. Through my artwork, I aim to evoke a sense of displacement, highlighting the disintegration and disruption of the self in today's landscape.”

Central to Boyce's inquiry is the role of language in ascribing meaning, a theme echoed throughout Left Field. By posing questions through subject matter and process, Boyce challenges viewers to confront the uncertainties of contemporary existence.

Frank Boyce returned to art during the pandemic's first lockdown

The exhibition's centrepiece, Boyce's series of paintings, disrupts traditional notions of reality and appearance, inviting viewers to explore the uncanny. Figures hover at the edges of perception, fragmented and distorted, reflecting the flux of our digital age.

Artlink project co-ordinator Rebecca Strain said: “We’re excited to be showcasing the artwork of Frank Boyce. Drawing inspiration from Mark Rothko's concept of appearance versus reality, Frank navigates the complexities of our hybrid existence, where digital technologies blur boundaries between the real and the virtual. Questions about the individual's freedom within society's collective framework also resonate in his work, prompting viewers to contemplate the repercussions of choices in a globalised world.”

 Artlink project co-ordinator Martha McCulloch added: “As we grapple with the implications of increased digital engagement on self-perception and mental health, Frank Boyce's artwork serves as a reminder of the need for introspection and examination of our digital habits.

“I’d encourage people to join us for the opening reception of ‘Left Field’ on 15 March at 6 pm in the Saldanha Gallery – an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Frank’s narrative and journey of self-discovery and societal reflection.”

For further information about ‘Left Field’ and upcoming exhibitions and events during March 2024, visit www.artlink.ie, Facebook.com/Artlinkfortdunreepage or contact a member of the Artlink team on 0838696513.