Artificial Sunshine
Kevin Killen (b.1977)
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
2018
Materials
Neon tube
Place of origin
Belfast
Order this imageCollection
The Argory, County Armagh
NT 566366
Summary
Sculpture, metal with neon lights; 'Artificial Sunshine'; Kevin Killen (1977, Belfast); 2018. A neon art installation, commissioned by the National Trust for the Argory in 2018, consisting of a metal spiral frame with attached neon lights in seven colours (white, pink, blue, yellow, green).
Full description
'Artificial Sunshine', an installation by Kevin Killen, created from a series of interlinked neon tube lights in seven colours (white, pink, blue, yellow, green). Kevin Killen specialises in the creation of self-made neon light sculptures and installations, often designed for specific sites. His works aim to ‘capture moments in time, representing life and peoples’ physical journeys as snapshots of lives.’ Killen studied at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design University College (now the UCA) and also undertook specialist training in neon-making in Dallas, Texas in 2009. His work is to be found in many collections in Northern Ireland, including those of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council,; Queens University and Belfast City Hospital. ‘Artificial Sunshine’ was commissioned by the National Trust for the Argory in 2018. The commission partly reflects the fact that the last private owner of the Argory, Walter McGeough Bond (1908-86), was a passionate collector of contemporary art, assembling one of the largest collections in Northern Ireland, almost all of which has been dispersed. Kevin Killen has described this particular commission: ‘My work uses neon light to map peoples’ stories, histories and lives. While we do it in very different ways, the National Trust also preserves these things, so working with them has been a interesting experience. Using the tour of the house as a starting point, I photo-documented a staff member traversing the tour route and translated that into a neon map. The piece embodies the owners, staff and visitors throughout the house’s history, while the spiral shape is inspired by the spiral patterns found in the house’s décor.’ 'Artifical Sunshine' was originally displayed suspended within the spiralling main staircase to the West Hall at the Argory, and is now shown on a wall within the Service Stairs. Jeremy Warren June 2023
Provenance
Commissioned for the Argory by the National Trust, 2018.
Makers and roles
Kevin Killen (b.1977), sculptor