“Soul on Canvas: emotion in color, struggle in form, truth reflected back to you.”

Description

​A Meditation on Arrival
​”Liberty and Hope ?” captures the iconic, emotional moment of approaching the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty at a dramatic, fiery sunset. This vibrant acrylic painting uses bold, contrasting colors to evoke a feeling of urgency, anticipation, and profound ambiguity.
​The piece is anchored by three evocative layers: a sky of electric orange and red, the powerful silhouette of Manhattan, and the symbolic presence of the Statue of Liberty, the traditional beacon of freedom.
​Are We Guests, or Ghosts?
​In the foreground, the painting introduces its central question: a group of figures stand at the ship’s railing, their bodies painted in translucent, ghostly blue hues. They are universal travelers—migrants, refugees, and dreamers—arriving at the new shore.
​Kenna’s work asks: Is America still open and welcoming to immigrants, or are these spectral figures the ghosts of its past? Are they solid citizens-to-be, or merely temporary spirits passing through a tightening border?
​This striking, atmospheric piece masterfully blends the concrete reality of the landmark with the profound, abstract feeling of a journey’s end. It is a powerful visual reminder of the quest for liberty set against the complex, shifting reality of the modern American welcome.

Seamus Kenna is a self-taught artist from Dublin, Ireland, whose work explores the intersections of emotion, memory, and the human condition. His paintings often balance on the edge of surrealism and expressionism, drawing viewers into vivid dreamscapes where distorted figures, symbolic imagery, and bold colors tell layered stories.

With a raw and intuitive style, Seamus translates themes of inner conflict, social struggle, and fleeting joy onto canvas. His pieces reveal both the intensity and fragility of life—portraying fractured faces, melting clocks, and ghostlike figures that challenge us to look inward.

Deeply rooted in a desire to capture truth beyond surface appearances, Seamus’ art invites dialogue about mental health, society, and the passage of time. Each work is both personal and universal, offering glimpses into hidden struggles and shared human experiences.

Based in Dublin, Seamus continues to develop his practice, creating thought-provoking works that resonate with viewers on both emotional and psychological levels. His art asks us not just to see, but to feel.

Shipping costs

Shipping from Ireland
Within Ireland €20.00
Outside Ireland €50.00