In the summer of 1926, Rockwell Kent came to Ireland to paint. Seeking isolation, he stayed in the remote valley of Glenlough, a sparsely populated area on the West coast of Donegal. An influential American artist of the 20th century, Kent is celebrated for his repeated portrayal of secluded landscapes and isolated locations. While much attention has been given to his paintings of Alaska and Greenland, in the broader narrative of Kent’s career his time spent in Ireland has received comparatively less recognition.
A century later, inspired by his lingering legacy in Donegal, Artist Kevin Lowery revisit the scenes of Kent’s Irish work. They convey a strong sense of place and tell the story of this distinctive landscape. In an exploration of this period in his work, Kevin set out to see what Kent saw, embarking on a journey to the locations of some of his key works, exploring and painting the Atlantic coastline that never rests.
Artist’s Bio
Kevin Lowery is a seascape devoted painter living and working in the North-West of Ireland. Living by the sea all his life has inspired Kevin to paint the rolling surf, merciless oceanic turmoil, and the ever changing skies found along the coastline.
Human beings have always had an intimate relationship with the water, and Kevin has always had a particular interest in the often unpredictable and life-changing nature of the sea, which can be seen in his unique ability to depict changing light on water and rapidly altering climatic conditions.
Having studied painting at Dublin’s National College Of Art And Design in the early 2000s, Kevin has exhibited extensively with numerous works in both Irish and international collections. He has also recently become a keen surfer, which affords him yet another interesting perspective from which to explore the intricacies of Ireland’s Atlantic coast.
