To start a New Year, say hello to contemporary painter Shane Keisuke Berkery, whose work can currently be seen as part of our client JGM Gallery's latest exhibition 'True Fiction'. Read on to discover what inspires him, how he combines photography with drawing, and his proudest moment to date...
Since graduating from the National College of Art and Design in Ireland, and following his MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art, Shane has developed a notable practice, exhibiting his work extensively both nationally and internationally. His paintings have been showcased in esteemed institutions such as the National Gallery of Ireland and the National Portrait Gallery in London, and included in the Irish State Collection, and he's also been honoured with the prestigious Hennessy-Craig Award from the Royal Hibernian Academy.
When did you start combining photographic and drawing mediums into your work?
Drawing was my medium of choice as a child and is something that I have continued through to this day. When I found my grandfather's old photos from the 1950s I was struck by the medium’s ability to capture a sense of memory and passage of time, and wanted to incorporate it into my practice. I became interested in the mechanical nature of analogue photography and began using his old camera to capture the people and events in my life. These photos became the source material for my paintings.
What is your proudest moment to date?
I would have to say having my self-portrait exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery, as part of the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award. I didn’t win, but my painting was definitely the biggest in the show.
Where would you like to see your art showcased in the next 10 years?
All the biggest and best museums.
Which gallery is your favourite to visit and why?
Tate Britain, I love the building and the selection of paintings, and I feel safe and calm when I’m there. In particular, I enjoy the Francis Bacon room.
Who or what inspires you in both your day-to-day life and in your profession?
I share a studio with four of my friends from the RCA Painting Masters, and they are the people who inspire my practice the most. We decided to stick together after the course so we could continue the creative and critical environment we had in college, as well as the network of moral support. Being able to watch other serious painters at work, and discussing ideas and techniques with them drives me to think differently and work harder.
True Fiction is on until 31 January at JGM Gallery in London's Battersea. Read more by clicking here.
