Blackwater Valley Makers, Fermoy are excited to host a new exhibition by couple Keith and Kira O’Brien with their opening taking place on Saturday, 6th April, 2024 between 2-5pm. The exhibition titled “Talamh Agus Speir” combines Keith’s colourful painting with Kira’s soulful ceramics and promises to provide visitors to the gallery at 12 McCurtain St. with a vibrant, moving display. Kira is also a musician and will be treating visitors to the opening with a performance.

Keith is an abstract landscape artist, who grow up in the suburbs of Cork City, Ireland. He explored the local coastlines over the years which have inspired his early work.

In recent times Keith enjoyed and based many of his work on imagery from the south west coast of Cork and Kerry.

Keith is an artist who enjoys playing with ideas using different media, so creating and refining his skills.

Many of Keith’s artworks have been described as having vibrant movement but also containing depth.

Keith is proud to have his work in far off destinations like New Zealand and San Francisco but also they have found forever homes in Cork and Kerry.

Keith’s artwork is on display in a few local galleries in the Cork area.

He is looking forward to continuing his art journey and loves to receive feedback from viewers.

Kira O Brien is originally from Dublin but lives and works in Cork. She studied at Colaiste Stiofain Naofa and The Crawford College of Art and Design.

She has been working in clay for nearly 20 years and has exhibited both nationally and internationally, most notably La Corouge, Switzerland, Missoula Gallery, Montana and Ceramic Biennale, Croatia. She has been a member of The Society Of Cork Potters, Cork Craft & Design and Owenabue Artist Collective. Currently she teaches Adult Ceramic and Lino Print Classes in Colaiste Stiofain Naofa, Carrigaline Community School and Mahon Resource Centre Cork and gives weekend workshops during the summer months for adults & kids.

Kira also plays banjo, guitar and ukelele and enjoys playing cover songs and occasionally her own self penned tunes!

You can follow her clay and musical journey

@kiramic and @kbanjo

“My work is an observation of human nature and our interactions with one another on a daily basis . Whether it be the happiest family occasion or the saddest bereavement our need to be there for one another is a constant in all our lives, and my work contains the narrative associated with such events. Working with adults in the community and from all walks of life has also been an inspiration and motivation in moving forward with my work. I continue to develop and learn and bring that knowledge back to my students. “

The exhibition will run till the end of May and can be viewed for free Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm.