Student of the Year: Stephen Doyle, Alt Masc

Alt Masc – Solo Exhibition by Stephen Doyle
Venue: The Lavit Gallery, 5 Father Mathew St, Cork
Opening: Tuesday 6^th February 5.00-7.00pm
Dates: 6^th – 24^th February

Recent Crawford College of Art and Design graduate, Stephen Doyle is exhibiting his first solo show ‘Alt Masc’ at The Lavit Gallery in Cork this February. Doyle is the recipient of the Lavit Gallery’s ‘Student of the Year Award’, first awarded 50 years ago, adding him to a long list of emerging artists awarded the opportunity to debut their work under the prestigious title.

‘Alt Masc’ discusses the place of queer attributes within male culture. The work challenges society’s perception of the male role. This exhibition is a display of the plurality of masculinities rather than the singular portrayal of hypermasculinity we have become accustomed to. It is a closer examination of societal pressures, to conform to outdated ideals.

The work features a spectrum of queer men redefining the boundaries of the male identity. The individuals included in the figurative painting series are empowering an alternative version of man. While the installation elements co-inhabiting the space reflect a repressive expectation of characteristics associated with masculinity.

Stephen Doyle is on the shortlist for Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards 2018. At his graduate show, he was awarded, along with the Lavit Gallery’s Student of the Year, CIT Crawford’s Graduate Residency Award, CIT’s Purchase Prize, and was longlisted for the RDS Visual Art Awards 2017. His previous work has been endorsed by both Stephen Fry and Rory O'Neill (a.k.a Panti Bliss), quoting the work as “tragically necessary” and “Impressive”. The opening of the exhibition is on from the 6^th of February with Seán Kissane, Curator, I.M.M.A, speaking at 6 pm. The exhibition continues until the 24^th of February.

This exhibition has been kindly sponsored by Parfrey Murphy Chartered Accountants
 
Art and Coffee:
Join us Saturday 10^th February, 11.30am for Artist Talk with Stephen Doyle and coffee morning.
All welcome.