Alan Raggett

I’m far more interested in what’s left behind after the destruction of the paint surface, it’s all and everything that we must build on.
The destruction of the paint surface causes me to change direction.
I’m interested in the connection between what’s gone and what’s left behind.
In conservation circles they speak about the agents of deterioration and areas of loss.
These are phrases that interest me, there is a sense of history attached to them, they speak of a life lived by an object affected by time.
Through the making and destruction of the paint surface a narrative is built.
Its own history made.
Its own life lived.
The destruction of the paint surface causes scarring, this scarring builds texture.
My practice lives in the space between familiar and unfamiliar .
There are many failures, and each layer is built on a failure.
There is something that happens in there between layers, it is like the slowing down of time, like a methodical move forward, like multi-tasking in slow motion.
The constant scarring and destruction of numerous layered paint surfaces sometimes produces something beautiful.
Sometimes, something beautiful is built on failures.

Education
2012/14
MA Preventive Conservation, Northumbria University, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
2000-04
HND Fine art painting and drawing, Kilkenny School of Art and Design, Ormond College, Kilkenny, Ireland
1995-96
NCVA in Animation and drawing studies, Ballyfermot Senior College, Ballyfermot, Dublin 20, Ireland

Solo shows
2016
UNDERTOW
Kilkenny Arts Office, 5 Dean St, Kilkenny

Selected Group Shows
2020
RUA RED
Winter Open “Hindsight is 2020”, Rua Red, South Dublin Art Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24
COURTHOUSE GALLERY
Open Call | Winter Open. Courthouse Gallery, Ennistimon, Co. Clare
2019
LEGACY
30th Anniversary of the Boyle Arts Festival, King House, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
2018
ARTFORM
Annual Contemporary Art Fair, Waterford.
2017
ALTERNATIVE KILKENNY ARTS
Kilkenny Arts Festival, The Goods Shed, Kilkenny
40 THE QUAY
40 The Quay, Waterford
2007
CONVERSE
South Tipperary Art Centre, Clonmel, Tipperary
Art Office 72 John St. & Watergate Gallery, Kilkenny

Residencies
2018
Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan.
2017
Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan.
2008
12-week residency at Pisac Arts Centre, Pisac, Peru.


Bursaries
2021
Artscouncil of Ireland, Agility Award
2020
Fingal County Councils Artist Support Scheme 2021
2019
Artlinks Bursary 2019, emerging artist award.
2017
Kilkenny County Council, Tyrone Guthrie Bursary.
2013
Council of National Cultural Intuitions Conservation Training Bursary
2011
Professio...