Curios About: Back Storey by Eoin Whelehan

Back Storey
By Eoin Whelehan
Digital illustration, 30cm  x 42cm

1. This work is about … the other side of urban dwellings, a fleeting glimpse of a side of life that’s usually hidden away. The intention is to leave the narrative open to interpretation, only gifting the viewer part of the story. Is the letter that is being read revealing happy, sad, troubling news? Could it be the end or the beginning of something?

2. I made this work because … of a long-held fascination with the architecture of Dublin inner-city living. I’ve always loved illustrating buildings, and find that what one sees from a passing tram or train can be infinitely more fascinating than what’s presented to the wider world. I love observing the workings of a house, seeing the pipes, pillars and rear windows that quite often are a truer reflection of the lives that inhabit it – the veins and arteries run along the backs of these beautiful old buildings.

3. I hope when people see this work they will … find that it invokes a familiarity even though it’s an unknown setting. Rather than explain what I think is happening, I’d like the viewer to create their own tale. I chose to set the scene at dusk or dawn, as I love the colours and hues present in the waking hours or at the end of the day.

4. In terms of art history, this work … relates to graphic novels and comic book illustration. Artists like Will Eisner (Dropsie Avenue, A Contract with God) and Chris Ware (Building Stories) beautifully evoke urban landscapes that offer a myriad of insights and references. I hope to continue and expand upon this theme and create a larger scope of work, brick by brick.

5. You can see my work …  on my website and by following me on Facebook.

“Curios [sic] About …” is a series featuring works by Dublin artists. Each artist is asked to submit an image of one work and answer a set of questions about it. We’d love it if you’d submit something you’ve made, here.