Kurt Vonnegut was an American author known for his satirical and darkly humorous novels. His published work includes fourteen novels, three short-story collections, five plays, and five non fiction works over fifty years; further works have been published since his death. So, it would be fair to say he knows a thing or two about art. There are many quotes about the Arts, but Vonnegut’s covers a multitude. “The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable.You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.” Which leads us nicely to Kilkenny Artist Eoghan O’Driscoll. Eoghan has been creating art for a long time, and has exhibited in many of Ireland’s main galleries, including in Cork, Dublin, Limerick and of course in his native Kilkenny.
He is also responsible for six books of poetry over the past 10 years.
In a recent 3rd solo exhibition, held in Dublin, Eoghan explained that the exhibition ‘Aghaidh’, curated by Tony Strickland comprised a years work in the studio, almost like a diary of his visual journey.
Poet
O’Driscoll is a poet and artist and his work in both mediums deserves huge praise. Added to this, his collection of six books of poetry bears testament to the fact that his pen fits snugly in his hand.
However, the written word has taken a back seat for the moment as O’Driscoll concentrates on the brush and canvass. Anyone who attended his recent Arts Festival exhibition (2025) in Langtons Hotel, will have noticed a distinct change in his style. Perhaps there is a more positive or more upbeat attitude to his work. Of course this observation is pure speculation.
What is not speculation however is that Eoghan’s work is attracting more and more fans, and the large turnout at the Dublin event bears testament to that.
The exhibition was opened by renowned artist Brian Gormley who commented that this was Eoghan’s most exciting and diverse exhibition to date.
Gormley, himself a gifted artist and an internationally exhibited American painter
went on to say that Eoghans work shows courage, moving, as it does, in a new direction with a new take on the urban environment.
Reflecting on the artists work, Gormley spoke of Eoghan as being a true, honest and genuine artist.
He described Eoghan as a poet in the service of paint.
Eoghan is a Kilkenny native. He studied art at Kilkenny college where he sat his Leaving certificate. He then travelled to Wales where he studied creative arts at the university of Glamorgan, before travelling throughout Europe, living in France, Spain, Italy and in the UK .
Mr O’Driscoll worked in the national library of Ireland for three years and studied American poetry at UCD. He has written six collections of poems. He has battled with mental health problems his whole adult life which included periods in hospital. Eoghan was diagnosed with schizophrenia and is doing well again in recent years. These periods of illness are often the subject of his work, where he tries to reflect to others what it is like to be unwell. O Driscoll lives now in his native Kilkenny and has a full time studio there.
Eoghan has exhibited widely in Ireland including the Crawford gallery in Cork. He has sold over 400 paintings in the past 5 years. Work has continued to develop and evolve, moving into abstract from figurative. He is best known for his ‘faces’ paintings which were featured on the Late Late Show. He has also been the subject of the documentary Inside with Brent Pope.
Eoghan is currently working on his forthcoming exhibition for the Arts festival for which he will be based in Langtons of John Street.
Laughing
My grandfather is walking the square in Thurles
Saying hello to most we meet
Small talk about hurling and horses
Passing boiled sweet shops, moving into the modern
On the edge of ancient world
The neighbour’s had gotten in a computer
The first on the street, we gather round it
Like an oracle with our faith on the line
Well if he doesn’t shut up about potatoes
Soon, Kerr Pinks, Roosters, New Potatoes
Wexford’s his favourite, my grandmother
Could spin a spud with such a skill
He turns on a black and white portable
Amid a mess of messenger magazines
Tom and Gerry he loved
He met each punchline with a tremendous
Laugh, commenting on the punchline
And pointing to the telly
Roaring laughing at the top of his voice
I heard that laughter rise in far off places
That would soon surround me
The house in Thurles grown silent now
