STATEMENT
Kielt’s work explores ways of interpreting the subjectivity of experience, in particular trauma and memory. The way we perceive the world is in a constant state of flux; fact and fiction collide and merge together.
Drawing is the stage where information is filtered and deemed relevant to the potential outcome. This editing process creates voids which allow the viewer to plant their own affects and experiences. Paint and other media are brushed, rubbed, and scraped across the surface. What is left is an unusual relationship between this moment’s truth and its preceding and succeeding implications.
Drawings and paintings merge and overlap found and original imagery from eclectic sources which hint at motifs of the viewer’s own making. These fictive narratives are continually shifting and to record them is to widen the scope for understanding the many facets of trauma and the human experience.
BIO
Brian Kielt is a visual artist based in Northern Ireland. A graduate of the Belfast School of Art (2010), Kielt uses drawing and painting techniques that manipulate personal and found imagery to create alternate narratives.
In 2012 Kielt co-founded the LOFT collective and continues to collaborate with members on numerous projects. In 2015 Kielt took part in the Esmée Fairbairn career enhancement programme with the Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast, was awarded a grant from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and was a finalist in the “NI Young Artist of the Year” award. In 2018 he was among thirteen recipients of the 'iDA Grant' from the University of Atypical in Belfast which is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and in 2019 was highly commended in the MOTH art prize.
Kielt has been included in multiple publications including 'The Visual Artists' Ireland News Sheet', ‘Occupy Paper’ and ‘Tales from the Forest, appeared in several group shows, held five solo exhibitions, and has work in several private collections in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the USA. He is currently developing his practice from his studio in Mid Ulster.
C.V.
EDUCATION
Ulster University, Belfast: 2:1 BA Honours Degree: Fine and Applied Art - 2007-2010
Limavady NWRC: BTEC Diploma Foundation Art (Distinction Grade) - 2006/07
AWARDS
The Moth Art Prize - commended - 2020
The Moth Art Prize - commended - 2019
iDA Award 2018 University of Atypical - supported by The ACNI - 2018
Esmée Fairbairn Artist’s Career Enhancement Programme - 2015
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Support for the Individual Artist Award - 2015
Highly Commended Award and Finalist: “NI Young Artist of the Year" - 2015
First Place at inaugural Stendhal Festival Art Competition - 2011
MEMBERSHIPS
Professional Member of Visual Artists Ireland
Member of Catalyst Arts, Belfast
Co-Founder of LOFT Collective, Belfast
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Confessional: University of Atypical, Belfast - 2020
Bardo: An Unknown Country: Ards Art Centre, Newtownards - 2019
Fictive Perception: Goose Lane Gallery, Belfast - 2017
Alternate State: Duncairn Cultural Arts Centre, Belfast - 2015
PILLARS: Bridewell Gallery,Magherafelt - 2013
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
The Art of Resistance: 2Royal Avenue, Belfast - 2023
Royal Arcade Academy: Arcade Studios, Belfast - 2023
To lean, to fold, to fall, to buckle, to hold, to carry, to support: Members Show, Catalyst Arts, Belfast - 2023
141st Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition: Ulster Museum, Belfast - 2022
Past, Present, Future: Boyle Arts Festival Main Exhibition, Boyle - 2022
Ogham: Residency and Group Exhibition: Catalyst Arts, Belfast - 2022
Salonathon Show 2021: Platform, Belfast - 2021
The Great Big Art Exhibition: Firstsite, Colchester - 2021
139TH Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition: Ulster Museum, Belfast - 2020
All In!: Virtual Members Show, Catalyst Arts, Belfast - 2020
Festive Framewerk: Framewerk Gallery, Belfast - 2018
The Here and Now - Six Painters: Townhouse Gallery, Belfast - 2018
Program Your Retroactive Wish | Members Show: Catalyst Arts, Belfast - 2018
The Harbour Winter Art Fair: Galway City Gallery, Galway - 2017
Framewerk Winter Exhibition: Framewerk Gallery, Belfast - 2016
Collective Memories: Engine Room Gallery, Belfast - 2016
Enniskillen Visual Arts Open: Group Exhibition and Art Trail, Enniskillen - 2016
ROOM 101 - Culture Night Belfast: LOFT, Belfast - 2015
Papergirl Belfast: PS² Gallery, Belfast - 2015
The Selfie Show: An Art Exhibition of Self-Portraits: Museum of New Art, Troy - Michigan, USA - 2015
NI Young Artist of the Year: Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena - 2015
Transformation: NI Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn - 2014
Transient Bodies: LOFT Exhibition: Part of Culture Night,Belfast - 2014
Space at the Orphanage: White Lady Art Gallery, Dublin - 2014
Product of Perception: Part of Belfast Book Festival, The Black Box,Belfast - 2014
Start Talking Pop-Up Art Gallery: Lisburn Road, Belfast - 2014
ART for NSPCC: Charity Auction, The MAC, Belfast - 2014
Introducing: Waterfront Hall, Belfast - 2014
FORM³: Platform Unit Gallery, Belfast - 2014
No Jury, No Prize: London Street Gallery,Derry - 2013
Birds and Bats - LOFT Open Studio Day: Part of Culture Night, LOFT, Belfast - 2013
LOFT Collective Exhibition: Part of Culture Night Belfast and Late Night Art, LOFT, Belfast - 2012
The BIGG Openhouse Event: Part of the Cathedral Arts Festival, Belfast - 2012
XMAS AT THE IVORY: Victoria Square, Belfast - 2011
Gallery 73 Contemporary Painting Show: Part of Culture Night, Belfast - 2011
Stendhal Festival of Art Competition and Exhibition: Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady - 2011
University of Ulster Degree Show: Belfast - 2010
PUBLICATIONS
Dwell Time Issue One: Page 13 - 2019
Into the Void Magazine: Issue Ten, Pages 7-8 and 13 - 2018
Visual Artists Ireland News Sheet Issue 6: Page 9, November – December - 2017
Tales From The Forest: Issue Five - 2017
Average Arts Issue 1 August - 2016
HeadSpace: Issue Three, Dublin publication - 2014
Occupy Paper Issue 8: Online publication - Pages 43-47 - 2013
REVIEWS
Culture Northern Ireland review of “Alternate State” exhibition - 2015
Supported by an iDA award, managed by the University of Atypical on behalf of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Professional Member of Visual Artists' Ireland
