Liam O'Callaghan

Liam O'Callaghan's work fits into the branch of modernist art practice which embraces the use of objects or materials which have little artistic or aesthetic merit. But while the title of the exhibition endorses this feature, it is something of a misnomer, because in many respects the work has a sensitivity and beauty which belies its humble origins.

The materials are in almost every sense uninspiring - sellotape, dust, cobwebs, catgut, grape seeds and juice. These are grafted onto the surface of slides and projected onto specially constructed wall-mounted supports. The transformation from grimy matter to beautifully subtle abstract images with depth and resonance is quite inspiring. In fact, the surfaces are so intensely fascinating that you imagine the artist used some form of magnifier to carefully plan and compose the images - even though serendipity is a likely co-author.

The projectors in themselves add further dimension - the obvious one being the luminosity emanating within the image itself. The heat or circulation of air inside the projector causes the surface of the slide to warp and, in turn, the matter to gently pulsate, creating in effect, a 2-D kinetic artwork. The fragile nature of the images and the precarious placement of the projectors seem to require the viewer to tentatively move within the space.

Shake off this inhibition and the projections become interactive artworks where you can play shadow puppets on the wall, or even allow the projections to cast onto your hand or body. Maybe this is what O'Callaghan means by "these are not precious things"

Liam O'Callaghan's exhibition runs until April 26th.