A title that captures an ongoing practice

The title Evidence of Ongoings reflects the breadth of work included in the exhibition. Rather than presenting one single project, the show gathered together traces of Shane’s creative activity over recent years work made in the studio, outdoors, through residencies and across different formats.

“The artworks in the exhibition were selected to show a variance of work from the past five years across exhibition prints, outdoor paintings, zines, a rug design and outcomes from two residencies in Paris, so it was quite broad in content,” Shane explains.

“Bandon is my hometown, and the first time I had an exhibition there, so it was important for me to show the wide selection of work I do.”

That sense of range is central to the exhibition. The title, Shane says, is direct in its meaning: “It reflects what is in the exhibition,  evidence of what I have been doing over the past few years.”

He adds that titles often emerge intuitively in his practice: “I try to keep titles direct, or often use song lyrics from songs I listen to in the studio.”

Bringing the work home

While Evidence of Ongoings looked across several years of making, its location gave the exhibition a particular significance. Presenting the work in Bandon allowed Shane to share a broad view of his practice with the community where he is from.

Support from Creative Ireland and Cork County Council helped make that possible, not only by enabling the exhibition to take place, but by supporting the time, planning and professional presentation involved in bringing it to life.

“It gave me confidence in creating and curating an exhibition to a high standard,” Shane says. “Exhibitions take time to plan, hang and promote, and that support allowed me to hold an exhibition in a central and modern location in my hometown that I was proud of.”

Practical support also played an important role. Shane points to elements such as the installation of a large window vinyl to promote the exhibition, as well as the support of the team in Bandon Library.

“Having the team in Bandon Library to liaise with was a huge asset,” he says.

“Promotion of the exhibition through the Creative Ireland and Cork County Council social channels was also very much appreciated, as it helped expand the reach of the exhibition.”

Rhythm, texture and form

Shane’s abstract practice is shaped by rhythm, texture and form. His works often begin with a loose composition or shape, before developing through colour, movement and balance.

“It is very much a visual dance of colour and shape until I finally reach the final structure and balance in the composition,” he says.

Some works are more static, while others create a sense of flow that leads the viewer’s eye through the piece. The process is intuitive, but also full of problem-solving.

“The challenge is knowing when an artwork is finished,” Shane explains. “Some artworks can come together quickly, and others can take a lot longer than planned, as it is often like a puzzle that needs solving with no defined end.”

The tactile possibilities of print

Printmaking, particularly silkscreen printing, remains central to Shane’s practice. Its flexibility allows him to work across paper, textiles and other surfaces, creating space for experimentation and a wide range of outcomes.

“I primarily work in silkscreen printing, and that can be applied to many surfaces,” he says. “That allows for a wide variety of outcomes and exploration.”

With a background in graphic design, Shane found a natural connection with screenprinting. His training in visual communications continues to inform how he thinks about colour, tone and composition, while abstraction allows him to move beyond a direct message.

“The same principles of communicating are there,” he says, “but in abstraction it removes a direct message and becomes more of an emotional connection to the final artwork.”

For Shane, the appeal of print is also physical.

“I love working directly with ink and paper, away from computers. That tactile connection with making still gives me a buzz many years later.”

Bringing the exhibition home

Support from Creative Ireland and Cork County Council helped Shane create and present Evidence of Ongoings to a high standard in a central location in Bandon.

“It gave me confidence in creating and curating an exhibition to a high standard,” he says. “Exhibitions take time to plan, hang and promote, and that support allowed me to hold an exhibition in a central and modern location in my hometown that I was proud of.”

Practical support also made a difference, from installing a large window vinyl to promote the exhibition to working with the team in Bandon Library. Promotion through Creative Ireland and Cork County Council channels helped extend the reach of the exhibition and bring the work to wider audiences.

Why local cultural support matters

For artists working locally, support can provide the time, resources and confidence needed to realise creative ambitions.

“Working as an artist is often full of unknowns,” Shane says, “and a lot of personal time and money is dedicated without any guaranteed return.”

Local support, he explains, is also a sign that the work resonates beyond the studio.

“Having support on a local level is an indicator that your work has an impact on others around you, which encourages you to move forward with your creative ambition.”

Through Evidence of Ongoings, Shane O Driscoll brought a rich and varied body of work back to the town where his creative practice first took root. Supported by Creative Ireland and Cork County Council, the exhibition highlights the value of investing in artists locally, helping creative work reach new audiences, strengthening connections between artists and communities, and supporting the continued growth of Ireland’s creative life.