Multiple Cultural Identity Project (MCI)

The Irishman

John Kelly lives in County Cork, Ireland, not far from where his father grew up. The property is on the site where it is said the first recorded death in the famine took place. Arguably the famine was the starting point for Kelly's father's departure from Ireland due to the politics and economics that flowed from such events. Kelly's life in Ireland completes a fifty year cycle of emigration and return.

In 2007, Kelly held his first solo exhibition at the Fenton Gallery in Cork and participated in a curated exhibition, Death and Desire, at the Sirius Gallery, Cobh. He has contributed articles to Ireland's record of journal of contemporary art, Circa magazine.

Through his paintings and sculpture Kelly explores the idea of the Alien; that is, somebody from somewhere else.

Kelly has also made an installation of an imaginary Irish pavilion (Halo) and the The Probe, which explores the politics of the contemproary art space.