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Carn man among 'Who's Who
in Art'
11.07.08
by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent
WHAT does Carndonagh artist Marty Kelly have that
Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst don’t? An entry in the
33rd edition of the art bible ‘Who’s Who in Art.’
Talking exclusively to the Inishowen Independent the
Carndonagh based painter described himself as being
“totally shocked” when he discovered that he was to
be included.
The 1,130-page tome lists over 3,800 biographies of
contemporary artists and photographers exhibiting
and/or represented in the British Isles as well as
leading personalities in British contemporary art. |
What makes Marty’s
inclusion more impressive is that only 10% of the
entries are painters with designers, critics,
writers, teachers, curators and photographers making
up the rest of the list.
Marty’s presence in the book is thanks in part to an
exhibition he held last year in London. According to
Marty “I was approached by one of the compilers and
he asked me to send on a small package of my work
and a short biography. He also asked the (Blue Leaf)
Gallery to put my work forward for the book.”
Marty’s works in oil obviously impressed the
selection panel enough to warrant his |
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inclusion yet the
artist himself is surprisingly laid back and modest
about it, “I don’t really believe in a definitive
who’s who of anything to anything but its still
flattering to be approached and included amongst
great artists.”
The listing is just another highlight in a year full
of them for Marty. As well as the Who’s Who he is
also set to be included in “The Buyers Guide to
Irish Art” out later this month, which lists both
well-known and emerging Irish artists. Although
Marty wouldn’t be drawn into commenting on which
category he falls into.
Marty is also just back from India “travelling and
painting.”
“At the start of the year I represented the gallery
in London and Paris. The Paris show was great; it’s
a great place. Now I’m working towards two shows in
London and Edinburgh. In my last solo exhibition in
Temple Bar the Irish Contemporary Art Society bought
a painting for their state collection which was a
good way to cap off last year,” he concluded. |
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