About Stephen Darragh
Communication is the essence of Stephens figurative work. His recent series has taken him towards open spaces, traveling outward as if unfolding the mind. There is a search for truth "whatever it may be", a willingness to move beyond and a reaching out quietly, never forcing comfort and friendship.
In its complexity, life is full of patterns and rhythms of conflict and aggression, embroiled in human emotions. Stephen presents these to us in exaggerated frozen gestures, coupled with expressions of hope and reconciliation. He is in pursuit of the more spiritual side of humanity "man in empathy with nature, nature with man".
There is a longing to escape to a more ethereal state or place, a quest for equilibrium. This is evident in the harmonic use of colour, almost child-like in execution.
Born in Ballymena, Stephen graduated in Maidstone with First Class Honors in Fine Art in 1985. He taught art in Prendergast School in London. He has exhibited in numerous exhibitions including Whitechapel Open, London, South London Art Gallery and an exhibition entitled "A Terrible Beauty" at Collyer Gallery/Bristow in 1995. His work was also included in two major international exhibitions.
"Britain meets the Bay" - - - San Fransico 1997
Mixed Artists - - - New York 1998