Feathers - An exhibition of original oil and pastel paintings by Ged Kearney

Southsea Community Cinema & Art Centre is proud to present **Feathers**, an exhibition showcasing the original works of local Portsmouth artist, Ged Kearney. Running from the 1st of October to the 3rd of November 2024, this exhibition offers a unique exploration of the natural world through the lens of light, movement, and the exquisite beauty of birds.

Ged Kearney, who relocated to Portsmouth from Lancashire in 1981 to pursue a BA (Hons.) in Fine Art, has spent decades refining his craft. His career has spanned nearly 40 years, during which he balanced his artistic endeavors with a career in the NHS. Now, he dedicates his time fully to his art, with a particular focus on the natural world.

Feathers centers on birds, with much of the collection inspired by Ged’s support for Songbird Survival, an independent UK charity dedicated to solving the ecological crisis facing the country’s songbirds through scientific research. While many of the featured birds are UK songbirds, the collection also includes species like corvids (Rook, Raven, Jackdaw, and Chough), often overlooked as songbirds.

The exhibition also includes captivating depictions of birds of prey and other non-songbirds. One striking piece, *Angola’s Strike*, is a meter-high oil painting that captures a Secretary Bird’s response to the threat of a snake, inspired by Ged’s visit to the Hampshire Hawk Conservancy. Another standout work, *Osprey Strike*, presents a dramatic scene from the viewpoint of a fish caught in the talons of an osprey.

In addition to these powerful oil paintings, the exhibition features vibrant soft pastel works that celebrate the delicate beauty of some of our most vulnerable feathered friends. Each piece is accompanied by informative text, reflecting Ged’s belief that “in the production and observation of any art, my personal awareness is raised, and I learn so much about the subject. If I can pass some of that on to the viewer, I am happy, and if a viewer is simply pleased to have had the experience, then that is success.”

Feathers is open to the public throughout October, from Tuesday to Sunday, between 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM. An informal preview event will be held on 2nd October at 7:00 PM, offering attendees a chance to meet Ged Kearney and potentially acquire a favorite original work of art. Ged will also be available at the exhibition on Saturday 26th October and Sunday 27th October between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, coinciding with the Portsmouth Open Studios Event (POSE2024).

For more of Ged’s work, visit www.easely.art(http://www.easely.art) or follow him on Instagram @ged_easely.art (https://www.instagram.com/ged_easely.art).