"Amongst the images that make up Perceptions, 'In The Thick of It' catches the speed, pressure and motion that a fast-paced outlook brings. It's an image that takes photography as its departure point.

'Most of the work I do begins with photographs. I work quite loosely from these, taking ideas, taking shapes and forms, then start off with sketches to generate ideas. 

'I draw you to the one figure, in the centre, which is the figure I see 'in the thick of it'. With today's society you haven't got time to stop and think, everything's moving so fast.' "

"Being named as the Diageo Best Emerging Artist in Northern Ireland in 2004 gave Kelly Gallagher the push she needed to set up a small studio in her house in Lurgan and pursue a career as an artist. ‘Somehow I always knew from a young age, playing with plasticine that I was going to do something arty when I grew up. I started with a one year foundation course and then completed a three year BA hons in Fine and Applied Art at the University of Ulster. At college, I was able to sample various styles of art – ceramics, fine art and silversmithing – a bit of everything really – but realised I felt most at home painting,’ remarked Kelly."

"Kelly Gallagher, who was names as the Diageo Best Emerging Artist in 2004, is to hold her first art exhibition in the St Patricks Trian, Armagh from today.

The exhibition entitled 'Kelly Gallagher : Solo', features her latest work, inspired by vibranr Irish city life and prominent landmarks such as Armagh Cathedral and Belfast City Hall.

Kelly's previous work, which is colourful and abstract in nature, has been shown at the prestigious Royal Ulster Academy. She also recently won major commissions for the Craigavon and Newry based Debenham stores.

Last year she was the registered artist for Craigavon Borough Council and has just completed the Art and Business Individual Artist Programme in Belfast which looks after the management side of a career in art. As a result of this she was matched with Belfast property development business Barnabus Ventures, for whom she has recently installed a piece of art."

"Kelly Gallagher, Diageo Northern Ireland emerging artist award winner 2004, and Terry Loughins, corporate sponsorship manager at Diageo, with Kelly's work which was auctioned at the recent 'raising the roof' charity auction. Organised by Opportunity Now in partnership with Habiltat for Humanity, the auctioning of work such as Kelly's helped to raise funds for a team of women to go to Thailand and build houses for poor communities"

"Final year art students from the University of Ulster are opening a week long exhibition of their work in Belfast"

“It also gives the artistic community a first glimpse of up and coming talent and provides a platform for designers and artists to be recognised in their own right.”