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Carn man among 'Who's Who in Art' 11.07.08

by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent

WHAT does Carndonagh artist Marty Kelly have that Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst don’t? An entry in the 33rd edition of the art bible ‘Who’s Who in Art.’ Talking exclusively to the Inishowen Independent the Carndonagh based painter described himself as being “totally shocked” when he discovered that he was to be included.
The 1,130-page tome lists over 3,800 biographies of contemporary artists and photographers exhibiting and/or represented in the British Isles as well as leading personalities in British contemporary art.
What makes Marty’s inclusion more impressive is that only 10% of the entries are painters with designers, critics, writers, teachers, curators and photographers making up the rest of the list.
Marty’s presence in the book is thanks in part to an exhibition he held last year in London. According to Marty “I was approached by one of the compilers and he asked me to send on a small package of my work and a short biography. He also asked the (Blue Leaf) Gallery to put my work forward for the book.”
Marty’s works in oil obviously impressed the selection panel enough to warrant his 
Carndonagh Artist, Marty Kelly.
inclusion yet the artist himself is surprisingly laid back and modest about it, “I don’t really believe in a definitive who’s who of anything to anything but its still flattering to be approached and included amongst great artists.”
The listing is just another highlight in a year full of them for Marty. As well as the Who’s Who he is also set to be included in “The Buyers Guide to Irish Art” out later this month, which lists both well-known and emerging Irish artists. Although Marty wouldn’t be drawn into commenting on which category he falls into.
Marty is also just back from India “travelling and painting.”
“At the start of the year I represented the gallery in London and Paris. The Paris show was great; it’s a great place. Now I’m working towards two shows in London and Edinburgh. In my last solo exhibition in Temple Bar the Irish Contemporary Art Society bought a painting for their state collection which was a good way to cap off last year,” he concluded.
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