Ben Reilly
Comber

Ben Reilly
Comber
4 June to 19 July 2025

Studio open to the public on Tuesday, Friday

Foraging, and trawling for washed up or discarded objects that are shiny to Me. Searching coastlines and riverbanks exploring where the best places to find these objects might be. Asking and Picking up information from locals regarding particular rich source Areas. Examining, working and playing with these objects in the studio.

Comber:
The accessibility to a number of potentially rich areas in terms of material and in turn the direct accessibility of a space to examine and work with these objects would be for me the beauty of this Residency. The time to reflect on these objects and ideas developing in the studio, and to explore where these visual narratives may be lead. Finally to build new contacts and connections for my work and develop new partnerships organisations and people to view and interact with the work.

Like a magpie, I would pick objects that are shiny to me. Organic objects mostly wood or manmade objects but always with some aspect of previous human contact.
The particular objects taken into the Studio where depending on the object, I will Cast, Draw, or work directly into or, leave as they are until interplay with another found object gets something going. The found object being the beginning of the work process.

I would not see this project as ending with the end of the Residency but a continuing line feeding into my studio when the residency finishes.

As part of my presidency would be foraging for Material, I would invite particular groups that may have an insight into areas rich in potential found objects. Groups such as local walking group or Historical groups. Perhaps through social media I could pose the question to get the conversation started. These organizations are invited on the days when the studio is open to the public.

Ben Reilly
Graduated Crawford College of Art and design 1987; completed a BA Archaeology University College Cork in 1995; received a MA, in fine Art sculpture, Winchester College of Art and Design, 1999. He has worked consistently as an Artist since 1987 and has had solo exhibitions across Ireland and in Germany (Berlin and Munster). Ben has exhibited in group shows in Europe, China and America. He has been in receipt of a Department of Education Scholarship award, Irish Arts Council Bursary, and Materials Grant, Claremorris Open Adjudicators award and a culture Ireland Grant. In addition, Ben has worked as a film projectionist for Triskel Art Centre Cork and for the Cork Film festival (1988/95). He has also worked as an Archaeologist from 1991 to 2003 in Cork (city and county) and in Kerry and Wexford. He is at present a full time Fine Art Lecturer in South East Technological University, Waterford institute of Technology.

www.benreilly.ie
https://previously.benreilly.ie

WCAC acknowledges the financial support of Cork County Council and The Arts Council in making these residencies possible.