Contemporary artist opens gallery in Donegal

American transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson once expressed that “Light is the first of painters” – one Irish artist who understands the way to paint that light is Kevin Lowery.

Donegal is now the home to Lowery’s new art gallery and studio. The seascape painter, who is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary artists, recently opened his gallery and studio in the surfing mecca of Bundoran in Co Donegal to great success.

The opening reception of the new gallery space at Unit 10, Bundoran Retail Park was officially inaugurated by Rossnowlagh native, Irish surfer, author, artist, and marine social scientist, Easkey Britton. 

The Atlantic Ocean and the Irish coastline already know Lowery’s western eyes, crested hands, and coastal heart. By viewing his paintings it may appear that the sun, sea, and sand vibrantly glow at the sight of his paintbrush and palette as he brushstrokes western sunlight through bright crested waves that crash right onto his canvas.  

The stunning colours of Lowery’s art created an artistic bridge for building unity for those who attended his gallery and studio from the local community. 

With the Donegal elections approaching in June, Sinn ​​Féin Cllr Michael McMahon, Fine Gael Cllr Barry Sweeny, and Independent candidate Diarmaid Doherty, attended the opening of Lowery’s art exhibition.

McMahon said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Kevin and wish him great success for the future. This is a fantastic exhibition and is great for the town.” 

Sweeny is an artist as well as a councillor, who runs the arts and crafts studio and shop Local Hands in neighbouring Ballyshannon. He said: “I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Kevin Lowery’s new Gallery in Bundoran. As a big fan of Kevin’s work I am delighted to see this dedicated space to both exhibit and create.”

Bundoran native and businessman, Doherty, who runs the Bank House in Bundoran, said he was “Delighted to attend the official launch of the Kevin Lowery art gallery tonight in the retail park Bundoran. A fantastic addition to the retail experience. Wishing him every success.”

Although Lowery’s art is now located in the heart of the seaside town, he has lived by the sea all his life. His experiences along the Wild Atlantic Way are a profound source of inspiration for him “to paint the rolling surf, merciless oceanic turmoil, and the ever changing skies found along the coastline.” 

Lowery and his Gallery and Studio Manager, Shannon Carroll, curate this new artistic space that is unique to the North West of Ireland.

Lowery said that the gallery and studio will “showcase a collection of my own work, but will also feature works by local artists who share a similar passion for capturing the essence of our coastal surroundings.”

After the successful opening reception, his vision for the gallery and studio is for it “to become a hub for artistic expression, hosting exhibitions and events that celebrate the rich tapestry of artistic talent that our local community has to offer.”

Lowery’s strikingly vivid paintings not only visually conserve seascapes, but through his artistic expression these paintings also transform into Atlantic symbols for “fostering meaningful connections through art and conservation.” Lowery is “excited to connect with visitors” and to “share insights into my creative process.”

A good idea of what viewers can expect to see if they make the trip to Bundoran this summer is on Lowery’s website. He offers a virtual exhibition of his gallery online and presents his stirring promotional video.

Filmed and directed by Conor Conlon, the video is musically set to Kila’s “Am”- a song about the transience of time and existence–Lowery poetically narrates the inspiring video asking “How to paint this ever-changing seaboard?” 

The answer will be discovered in Lowery’s surf-paintings of light–illuminating his new gallery and studio in Bundoran.