Martin works totally by himself, designing, fabricating, and finishing unique works of sculpture from large outdoor pieces to smaller indoor sculptures and wall hangings from his studio in Kilternan, South Dublin, Ireland.
He primarily works in stainless and mild steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and bronze.
His sculptures are designed to reflect, distort, and absorb light and colour from the surrounding environment, changing with sunlight and weather from an almost fluid appearance to shades of grey and black.
– Martin O’Keefe
In the end, I decided to leap- and I’m so glad I did.
From the moment I arrived, I was made to feel completely at ease. Scott and his partner kindly picked me up from the airport, and their warmth immediately set the tone for the entire experience. Arriving at BCAC was a perfect mix of excitement and trepidation. I was greeted by Bill and Mel, who gave me the grand tour of the ranch- two of the nicest people you could hope to meet.
The following day, I met Steve, a talented sculptor himself, whose genuine enthusiasm and support made me feel instantly welcome. My workspace in the well-equipped metal shop was ready to go, with all the materials I had requested waiting for me. Any additional tools or supplies I needed were quickly provided.
One of the best aspects of the residency was the freedom. You’re completely left to your own devices – you can work whenever you’re inspired to do so, whether it’s early in the morning or late at night.
The on-site living accommodation was spacious and comfortable. I shared it with another steel sculptor and a wood sculptor from Israel and Mexico —fantastic artists and even better company.
The ranch itself is breathtaking, with scenery that never fails to inspire. Whether wandering the grounds, sitting on the terrace to watch the sunrise or sunset, or gazing up at the completely captivating mountains, I never grew tired of it.
Buffalo Creek Art Centre is truly what you make of it. With encouragement and support from Steve and his team, it offers the perfect balance of structure and freedom. For me, it was an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and immerse myself fully in my art, away from everyday distractions.
It was an incredible experience and one I’ll always treasure. I’m delighted to have done it.”