Shane's life and art are inspired by West Cork's natural beauty
Artist Shane O'Driscoll, who enjoys the views across Dunmanus Bay where he lives in West Cork, says that the sea has always been an inspiration for him. Photo: Bríd O'Donovan
“I’m in this happy place, doing fine art and design, which keeps things interesting for me,” says Bandon native Shane O’Driscoll, who lives with his wife, Anne-Marie, in Dunbeacon outside Durrus.
Overlooking Dunmanus Bay, O’Driscoll says the sea has always been an inspiration for him. “It’s a place to reflect and think.”
The couple lived in Dublin for ten years, where O’Driscoll worked as an art director and graphic designer, having studied graphic design at MTU.
“I ran art and design exhibitions, met a lot of people and expanded my creative network which stands to me today.” Being gazumped while trying to buy a house in Dublin was actually fortuitous for O’Driscoll, as he is delighted to be back in West Cork.
“We decided to have a change of scene, knowing we could always go back to Dublin if we wanted to.” But the artist’s needs are all being met in West Cork and Cork city. He goes to Dublin once or twice a month, where his work is sold by SO Fine Art Editions.
O’Driscoll does printmaking, practising screen printing mainly. He is a member of Cork Printmakers. He has a number of works in the OPW collection. In 2019, he had work acquired by the National Gallery of Ireland as part of its permanent collection.
Growing up, he didn’t think he wanted to be an artist. “I didn’t do art at school. But art, design and creativity were always a big thing in my house. My mum was always sewing. Dad is an accountant, but he liked design and was always collecting beer mats, packaging and other artefacts from holidays.
"They’re still on a shelf. That was my introduction to design, the power of branding. There was a buzz off it. Now, when I go travelling, I collect boxes of matches, flyers and posters. It’s kind of like research, having a visual library.
"It was through meeting someone doing design that I was suddenly aware there could be a career in graphic design. It totally suited me. I got to be creative all day. I’m fortunate now that I kind of have creative rein and control of what I’m doing.
"Through working in a design studio, you’re led by a client’s brief, ultimately answering their creative needs. I work more for galleries doing fine art, which is a whole other creative flux. But I enjoy bouncing between the two. It’s nice to have control of a brief for a client. Also, I like to make work for myself that goes in galleries and exhibitions.”
O’Driscoll doesn’t think he could work full-time everyday in the studio. “I enjoy going out, working with clients.
While screen printing is his “primary process,” O’Driscoll also does large-scale murals in Cork city. “I have a big one on the old ESB substation on Caroline Street. I’ve done murals in Dublin, Belfast and France. I co-direct Ardú, a street art project, with Peter Martin. We did a massive mural in Cork Airport. It’s a blend of my abstract shapes and colours and Peter’s figurative work.”
The theme of this 100 sq metre mural is the wonder of travel.
West Cork is a “great creative hub. Since moving down here, I’ve met a lot more artists, of all ages, working in different mediums. I’m involved in the Blue House Gallery in Schull. There’s a big arts and craft scene here as well. Back in the 60s and 70s, a lot of artists came over here from the UK and Germany. It was an incubation place for them. That’s still there.”
When it comes to selling his art, O’Driscoll says he’s lucky that he can sell in Dublin as well as in West Cork.
“Social media is a big thing. It’s about having as many avenues as you can to sell your work. My background in graphic design and promotion means I’m savvy enough on social media. There are peaks and troughs throughout the year. In spring and summer, people buy art more.”
O’Driscoll’s art is big and bold, comprising geometrical shapes and striking colour. He has collaborated with Alison Ostina, a chair maker in West Cork. O’Driscoll printed the fabric for a chair that Ostina made.
Over the last few years, O’Driscoll has taken part in Incognito in aid of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, whereby artists, famous and not so famous, make pieces of art to be bought ‘blind’ by the public at a very reasonable cost. “There’s a real buzz around it. It’s a nice and affordable way to buy art”.
Looking back, O’Driscoll says: “I never thought I would have a career as an artist. You never know where things will take you. Being in the OPW collection and the National Gallery’s permanent collection are things you never think could happen.”
