A Not So Still Life

Visitors to Patrick Reilly's exhibition of mixed media sculpture in Gallery 2 of the Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, are advised that…

Visitors to Patrick Reilly's exhibition of mixed media sculpture in Gallery 2 of the Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, are advised that children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by an adult.

It's a fair warning, as it is easy to see how a sensitive child or infant might be unsettled by certain pieces.

Describing the main reason for this would only take from the value of experiencing it first hand - but it is enough to say the sensation is something akin to the creepy atmosphere which characterised episodes of Tales of the Unexpected.

This is illustrated well in The great Ladder of Success Ride, where a child's arcade ride is distorted by a monstrous purple head which leers with a deadpan expression from behind its desk.

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The theme in this case investigates corporate greed - elsewhere O'Reilly tackles other broad social and historical mores.

A customised fruit machine set in a confessional looks at catholic guilt, a fat pig with a fox head the Holocaust; with other themes moving through abortion, old age and death.

The process of forcing once familiar found objects into extraordinary contexts ignites the acerbic humour and darkness at the centre of these works.

However, the three small bronze sculptures also included seem out of place, almost too traditional by comparison.

Nevertheless, O'Reilly's work has the kind of invention and depth which not only effects all the senses, but also touches the nerve which sheilds us from the recollection of childhood night terrors.

As such, O'Reilly is an antidote to the spate of commercial Christmas shows going on right now. And remember. Bring the kids to see Santa Claus instead.

Runs until 30th Jan