{"title":"Within and Beyond - Lavit Gallery","description":"\u003cp\u003eWines served at the opening reception Thursday 21 May 2026.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch1\u003eWithin and Beyond\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIta Freeney \u0026amp; Cathy Dorman\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMain Gallery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e21 May - 13 June 2026\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOpening reception Thursday 21 May, 5.30-7.30pm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/lavitgallery.com\" title=\"Lavit Gallery, Cork\"\u003eLavit Gallery\u003c\/a\u003e presents a two-person exhibition by painters Ita Freeney and Cathy Dorman. Their respective sources are landscapes and interiors, while for both, the work lies between abstraction and representation. Although no humans appear in the paintings, their presence is implied. Both artists go through a very considered process of experiencing, observing and investigating light and shape, and distil, emphasise and manipulate these elements in their paintings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e“Light, atmosphere and  a quietness are often key characteristics of my landscape inspired paintings.  I have always been interested in both the division of the canvas into shapes  and the creation of mood\/atmosphere.   I gravitate  towards looking for abstract forms within the landscape – playing with diagonals, horizontals and verticals while also being equally drawn to  light, atmosphere, distance and  subtle transitions of colour. This series of work has been in the making since my  last solo shows in 2024 and follows on with some similar themes to that previous Water’s Edge series. Again, I am mostly drawn to the coast even if the sea sometimes only appears as a narrow strip or small rectangular patch.  Piers, walls, and roads are prominent in this series.  The definite shapes of walls and piers against the airiness of sea and sky (emptiness and activity) are explored. I am interested in the way these definite shapes interact with  this ‘emptiness’ of sea and sky- surrounding, cradling, anchoring, forming boundaries and giving way to openings.  The shapes of roads, paths and walls act as lead ins- creating turns, and directional pulls through the canvas. The majority of these paintings have been inspired by North Mayo, while other inspirations have come from West Waterford, Kerry and Germany. Time is spent immersing myself in places through repeat visits, observing what interests me from different vantage points and in different lights and taking photographs, notes and thumbnail drawings back to the studio. The paintings come about through many light layers of paint, constantly re looking and subtly shifting colour and tone.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003ccite\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIta Freeney\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/cite\u003e \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e“My work explores and responds to site specific domestic spaces. The domestic setting of a home plays a significant part in the shaping and sustenance of who we are. Our home becomes a storehouse of our existence. It holds our memories, our fears, our aspirations, embodying the unique experience of each occupant. Modern architecture has changed the definition of home by accommodating its occupants in spaces that reflect their activities and values. My work to date has responded to specific iconic modern houses exploring how they redefined domesticity through their vision of a new way of living that was both physical and spatial and which held profound political and social implications. My work process begins by making models to explore spaces within these houses, a slow and pains- taking journey. Through black and white photography of the models, I investigate light and shadow within the space breaking it down into a series of planes, offering an intensely palpable experience. Using these images I construct my compositions and the paintings gradually emerge through the manipulation of materials with layering, patterning and constant reworking of paint. There is always something liminal at play in the work, small shifts of focus, an uncertainty and otherness that never quite explains itself. The depiction of furniture, architecture and inanimate objects in my work creates a sense of calm or frenzy, sadness or gaiety, a weighty stability or aerial lightness” \u003cbr\u003e\u003ccite\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCathy Dorman\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/cite\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDublin born, \u003cstrong\u003eIta Freeney\u003c\/strong\u003e graduated from Crawford College of Art and Design with a BA Honours degree in Fine Art (1994). She now lives in Cork. During 2023 and 2024, solo exhibitions of her series of paintings – \u003cem\u003eWater’s Edge\u003c\/em\u003e, have taken place at South Tipperary Arts Centre, Custom House Studios \u0026amp; Gallery (Westport) and The Paul Kane Gallery (Irish Architectural Archive, Dublin).  Other solo exhibitions have included \u003cem\u003eOuter Edges\u003c\/em\u003e at The Lavit Gallery, Cork (2019), \u003cem\u003eA New World,\u003c\/em\u003e Paul Kane Gallery, Dublin (2008), \u003cem\u003eNew Paintings\u003c\/em\u003e, Fenton Gallery, Cork (2006), the Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick (2002), \u003cem\u003eStrata\u003c\/em\u003e, Paul Kane Gallery (2001). Recently her work has been included in the following group exhibitions – \u003cem\u003eFrom Source to Sea\u003c\/em\u003e, curated by Michael Waldron at the Crawford Art Gallery,2024; Visual Presence, Boyle Arts Festival, 2024; the Ballinglen Biennial Exhibition at the Ballinglen Museum of Art, Mayo 2023 and the 192\u003csup\u003end\u003c\/sup\u003e RHA annual exhibition( 2022). She has exhibited with the Paul Kane Gallery since 1998, with several solo and two person exhibitions and many group shows there. Her work features in many collections including: Ballinglen Museum of Contemporary Art, Mayo; Cork Co. Council; Crawford Art Gallery, Cork (as part of the National Collection); Dental Hospital, Dublin; Department of Finance; The Office of Public Works and University College Cork. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly a practising architect, in 2020 \u003cstrong\u003eCathy Dorman\u003c\/strong\u003e graduated in Fine Art from NCAD where she was joint recipient of the Fine Art Student of the Year award and shortlisted for the RDS Awards. In 2021 she was a recipient of the IPUT\/RHA Wilton Park Studio award. Her first solo show ‘Domestic Planes’ took place at the Ashford Gallery, RHA in March 2022. Dorman exhibited as part of a two person show ‘Double Bounce’ at the Copper House Gallery, Sept 2023. Her second solo show ‘Step Away Closer’ was at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar in March\/April 2024. Dorman’s work has been included in group exhibitions at RHA (2020,2021), Dunamaise Arts Centre (2019) (2024), Hang Tough Gallery (2021, 2022), Outset Gallery Galway (2022) and Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray (2023). In September 2024 Dorman exhibited in the Wilton Park Studio exhibition at the RHA and recently (January 2025) completed the first segment of her fellowship at the Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Ballycastle. \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"weingut-rudi-ruettger-spaetburgunder-reserve-2022","title":"Weingut Rudi Rüttger, Spätburgunder Reserve 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a refreshing light red that even with barrel ageing displays \u003cspan\u003elightness, subtlety, and layered nuances.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough it's not too heavy, and the emphasis is on the lovely fruit, this is still a serious, well made Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) with hints of spice, and a style that makes it very attractive on its own as well as a versatile companion for all kinds of food.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Weingut Rudi Rüttger","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44143078703356,"sku":"RUDI1222","price":23.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0463\/2438\/3912\/files\/weingut-rudi-ruttger-spatburgunder-reserve-2022.jpg?v=1778846256"},{"product_id":"altanza-rioja-reserva-2019","title":"Altanza, Rioja Reserva 2019","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93\/100 Guía Peñín\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93\/100 SILVER IWSC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93\/100 WINE ENTHUSIAST\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn opulent, plush style of Rioja. There's a big, tempting nose of sweet black cherry and cinnamon, with a mid-weight palate of cassis and tobacco leaf, before a long finish with suggestions of cool mint chocolate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the wine that the bodega considers the embodiment of its style and values: a blend of the best of tradition with a contemporary, global outlook.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged for eighteen months in French oak barrels before resting for a further three months in 22-hectolitre French Allier oak vats.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Containers of red grapes at the Bodegas Altanza winery in Rioja, Spain\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0463\/2438\/3912\/files\/bodegas-altanza-grapes-1.jpg?v=1633348370\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bodegas Altanza","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49925924946256,"sku":"ALTA0219","price":25.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0463\/2438\/3912\/files\/altanza-rioja-reserva-2019.jpg?v=1753963649"},{"product_id":"weingut-rudi-ruttger-chardonnay-reserve-trocken-2023","title":"Weingut Rudi Rüttger, Chardonnay Réserve trocken 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eHarvested very late, at peak ripeness, and then fermented slowly and at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks, this oak aged Chardonnay is dry, yet possesses a gentle sweetness that enhances its concentration and structure, and harmonizes beautifully with its fruity aromas.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Weingut Rudi Rüttger","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53000180957520,"sku":"RUDI1123","price":23.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0463\/2438\/3912\/files\/weingut-rudi-ruttger-chardonnay-reserve-trocken-2023.jpg?v=1778674217"},{"product_id":"oro-de-castilla-rueda-verdejo-2025","title":"Oro de Castilla, Rueda Verdejo 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou'd have to have a heart of stone not to like this delicious, vibrant Verdejo.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt has irresistible lime and peach aromas, lively, zesty freshness and supple body. It's a fantastic white wine as an appetizer, and has enough character to accompany any light meal with its fragrant, confident charm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes are harvested at night, and the wine is aged on its lees for four months to give added body and personality.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oro de Castilla","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53080514396496,"sku":"OROD0125","price":19.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0463\/2438\/3912\/files\/oro-de-castilla-rueda-verdejo-2025.jpg?v=1781697873"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0463\/2438\/3912\/collections\/IMG-5349.jpg?v=1779292631","url":"https:\/\/bubblebrothers.ie\/en-gb\/collections\/within-and-beyond-lavit-gallery.oembed","provider":"Bubble Brothers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}