Salvatore of Lucan

Salvatore of Lucan's paintings attempt to create expansive domestic scenes where realism meets the uncanny and the familiar broaches the magical. His recent solo exhibitions include Fancy Situations, Kevin Kavanagh (2024), Dead Present, Kevin Kavanagh (2022) and Melodrama, Hang Tough Contemporary (2021). He was the winner of the National Gallery of Ireland's Portrait Prize in 2021.

"I think part of why I feel at home in this work is that there’s something reassuringly of childhood in it. I don’t mean formally, of course, or that Salvatore is naive about his own work or intentions, but rather something to do with a lack of guile that is intrinsic to unvarnished physical desires. Need doesn’t stop after childhood, but we do learn to mask it, make it more artful and less abject. Here, need is as innocently and plainly overt as a baby’s, whether the need is for food or physical comfort or play. Mostly what I like and feel a kinship with is the need to mesh one’s own body and self with your fellows and your surroundings, leaking and spreading out into each other. I always feel a sense of proxy-pride when I see a painting of one of Sal’s friends, to think how good it would feel to be loved that particular way."

An extract from a commissioned text written by Megan Nolan to accompany Fancy Situations, a solo exhibition by Salvatore of Lucan.