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Kent O'Doherty
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About
Kent O’Doherty's textile sculptures explore the complex interplay of memory, identity, and the shared human experience. His work delves into the deeply personal, questioning the nature of self and how individual experience shapes it and others' perceptions. O’Doherty grapples with the elusive nature of memory, acknowledging its inherent subjectivity and power to shape our understanding of the past. He sees the body as a vessel, holding both the triumphs and traumas of a lifetime, constantly being reshaped by experience.
O’Doherty’s artistic process is as integral to the work as the finished piece. Each sculpture is created from a single, unbroken length of fabric, reflecting the artist’s belief in accepting the totality of self and others without judgment or division. Fabric becomes a central motif in its intimate connection to the human body. It shields, reveals, and bears witness to our lives, embodying our vulnerability and resilience. The tightly bound palette in his work serves to focus the viewer's attention, intensifying the communication between the artist and the audience. O’Doherty aims to create pieces that resonate on a visceral level, inviting viewers to contemplate their experiences and navigate their challenges.
"Sewing, for O’Doherty, is a process of discovery, a path toward greater vulnerability and self-understanding. Working with heavy duck canvas, nylon thread, and occasionally acrylic paint, he constructs sculptures that are both physically and emotionally resonant, inviting viewers to engage in a dialogue about the shared fabric of human existence."
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