Brian O’Loughlin
Brian O’Loughlin
Sculptor, artist, shaper of ancient material for modern environments. Brian O Loughlin grew up on the edge of the bog that delivered up its secrets for him to re-imagine and reinterpret for our times.
Brian has been a full time sculptor for over 20 years. His work is characterised by a warmth and softness in a medium that is hard and dark, often embellished with paint or gold leaf. Each piece is individually, carefully and sympathetically handcrafted to accentuate the natural flow and form of the wood hidden from our eyes for thousands of years. Each piece of art is carved, pared and whittled to release its hidden beauty from below the dark, damp, husky exterior. Because of its nature; hard and strong but structurally weak, it can be very difficult to work. Bearing this in mind as you carve this beautiful wood, compromise is necessary, however among the limitations is great freedom. In the words of Hans Hoffman “eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak”.
Each piece then goes through a series of fine sanding and is finished with a coat of wax polish, ready for you to enjoy, the character, the history and the beauty.
Bog oak is a precious and ancient material, formed thousands of years ago when the great oak forests of Celtic Ireland were subsumed into peat bogs.
Brian’s work spans all scales from small awards to monumental road art (Passage, Dublin-Galway M6). Brian is also available for commissions. You can view his work at his studio in Rathangan (by appointment), Kildare Gallery Carton House, The Whitethorn Gallery Clifden and Adrigole Arts West Cork or online at irishbogoak.com.
Brian has released a new line of art works developed out of a desire to create cremation urns that did not actually look like an urn. A sacred space to hold the remains of a loved one, close by, in full view but not obvious. A piece of art, each piece as unique as the treasured remains it contains.
Please contact the artist directly for all sales queries
Mobile: 087 2453021
Email: brianinthebog@gmail.com
Instagram: @brianinthebog
Website: https://blackoakurns.com/
Video link; https://www.seoirseomahony.com/post/sunken-treasures-of-the-bog