Diana Kingston's first solo exhibition since 2006 features paintings of mackerel and lobsters. The exhibition at Dalkey Castle represents an evolution in Kingston's style, as she moves from depicting desiccated beach objects to vivid paintings of sea life found near her home. The detailed mackerel and menacing lobsters are depicted in lush colors and intricate patterns, bringing the marine subjects vibrantly to life despite their dead state. The exhibition title references an essay on lobsters that captures Kingston's humorous yet poignant treatment of her subjects.

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2. Dalkey Castle, 25—29 April, 2012.
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3. Consider the Lobster
This is Diana Kingston’s first solo demonstrated a change in direction and send her off enthused with
exhibition since her much lauded from these earlier shows in the Tom painterly possibilities.
show in the OSB Gallery in 2006. Caldwell Gallery so this one in Dalkey
Kingston has never stood still as an Castle heralds a further evolution. The Coal Harbour Pier in Dún
artist. While she is not one for radical She has taken a few steps back from Laoghaire was another rich source
changes in direction you can detect her subject matter to give us a new of inspiration for the artist. Of the
a gradual metamorphosis in style less ambiguous view of the world of multitude of fish to be found in the
over the decades. These changes nature. The lushly hued mackerel and little shop at the end of the pier the
encompass both her subject matter lobsters have replaced the often- modest mackerel seemed the most
and her technique. Kingston’s early desiccated objects found by the beautiful and exotic. The women in
shows in the Tom Caldwell Gallery in seashore. The mackerel are depicted the shop grew used to her visits and
the Seventies were rigorously photo- in all their glory: blue, turquoise, and would pull their wares out into the
realistic, often featuring self-portraits slate grey with hints of ochre, lime sunshine all the better to display the
along with an occasional excursion and purple. There are suggestions of gorgeous colours. These encounters
into trompe l’oeil. She mainly used oil their lost habitat the sea in the swirls were the genesis of three years work.
and pencil and the work had a tight of gesso that surround them. Their
graphical feel to it. It was light, well poignant and seemingly resigned These mackerel, symbols of fertility
executed and often witty. appearance contrasts with the malign and fecundity, are indubitably dead.
and purposeful lobster who seem to They have a tragic mien. The eyes lamented David Foster Wallace
In the subsequent decades she began be emerging for mischief from some stare reproachfully at the viewer published in 2005. The title essay was
to look outwards to the natural world dark unfathom’d cave. in a memento mori fashion. But a beady-eyed but humorous reflection
for her subject matter and the work paradoxically the paintings are very on the farrago that is the annual Maine
became richer and more expressive. These works are rooted in Kingston’s much alive - the energy and harmony lobster festival. Unlike the Maine
She became a beachcomber gathering local environment. Her home in of the compositions transcend the event, no lobsters were harmed in the
the detritus of the seashore: crab Dalkey is not far from Bullock banality of the fishes fate. They making of this exhibition.
claws, shells, feathers, and stones. Harbour famous for its fish and its are shown in vibrant tableaux all
She subjected these items to minute Cistercians. Its pier has been a source glistening colour and intricate So consider the lobster but have a
scrutiny – homing in on specific of inspiration for her as far back as pattern. And if the mackerel are good look at the mackerel as well.
details. The resultant works often the Eighties when she based her large dead, the lobsters are thrillingly alive
had a mysterious abstract feel to crustacean paintings on the discarded and malevolent – giant sea spiders John P. O’Sullivan
them, as their source was often not crab claws she picked up there. More lumbering with intent. Dalkey, 2012.
immediately evident. In this exhibition recently, with the friendly assistance
we find evidence again that Kingston of the local fishermen, she turned her The title of this exhibition is
is still evolving as an artist. Just as attention to lobster. They would hold shamelessly filched from a book of
that exhibition in Enniskerry in 2006 them up for the scrutiny of her camera essays by the late and very much
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4. Lobster 5 Mackerel 9
Mixed media on paper, 26 x 26 cm Oil, gesso and aquarelle on board, 50 x 38 cm
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5. Mackerel 8 Lobster 6
Oil, gesso and aquarelle on board, 50 x 45 cm Mixed media on paper, 26 x 26 cm
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6. Mackerel Salmon 2
Oil, gesso and paper on board, 30 x 30 cm Oil, gesso and paper on board, 30 x 30 cm
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7. Lobster 2 Lobster 1
Oil, gesso and paper on board, 48 x 48 cm Oil, gesso and paper on board, 48 x 48 cm
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8. Lobster 3 Mackerel 14
Oil, gesso and paper on board, 30 x 30 cm Oil, gesso and paper on board, 30 x 30 cm
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9. Mackerel 5
Oil on board (diptych), 23 x 120 cm
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10. Diana Kingston
4, Saval Park Crescent
Dalkey
Co. Dublin
01 2848073
dianadalkey@gmail.com
dianakingstonartist.com
Solo Exhibitions Group Exhibitions Collections
2006 ’Sullivan Bewick
O 2008 angard Gallery,
V • AIB
Gallery, Enniskerry. Cork.
• Office of Public Works
2004 etatron Gallery,
M 2002 urator & Exhibitor
C
• Coopers and Lybrand
Enniskerry. Dalkey Art Festival.
• IONA Technologies
2002 angard Gallery,
V 2000, 99, 97, 93, 90, 89,
88, 84, 83, 82 • O’Donovan Stewart
Cork.
RHA Annual • ontemporary Irish Arts
C
1992 Jeffers Gallery, Society
Kinsale, Co.Cork. Exhibition, Dublin.
1988 Rathaus, Stuttgart, 1996, 89, 83
Germany Oireachtas, Dublin.
1984 Tom Caldwell 1995 Lavitt’s Quay Gallery,
Gallery, Dublin. Cork.
1981 Tom Caldwell 1990 Riverrun Gallery,
Gallery, Dublin. Dublin.
1989 Taylor Gallery,
Dublin.
1986 Redec Centre,
Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia.
1985 Cork Art Now (CAN).
1984 Claremorris Arts
Festival.
1983 Independent Artists.
1983, 80, 79, 78
Irish Exhibition of
Living Art, Dublin.
1981 Six Women Artists,
Galway Arts Festival.
1980 Exposure, Dublin.
Mackerel 11 Acknowledgements
Oil and gesso on board, 75 x 55 cm Essay: John O’Sullivan
Photography: Paddy Benson
Design: JMC Creative
16 Print: TMC Ireland 17

11. dianakingstonartist.com
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