'Don’t Anger the Gods' - Rasher

Don’t Anger the Gods – Rasher Unleashes a New Visual Odyssey at FLUX Dublin

Opening Night: May 22nd, 6–9 PM
Location: FLUX Studios, 4 Chatham Row, Dublin 2, D02 PA06

What do François Mitterrand’s forbidden final meal, Beethoven’s immortal symphonies, and the crunch of God’s songbird beneath Anthony Bourdain’s teeth have in common? For Irish artist Rasher (R. M. Kavanagh), they’re all part of a fascinating, grotesque thread connecting death, beauty, appetite, and creation. In his latest exhibition, Don’t Anger the Gods, opening May 22nd at FLUX Studios in Dublin, Rasher dives deep into this strange symphony of contradictions—and invites viewers to do the same.

Known for his emotionally charged figurative oil paintings, Rasher’s work has always been rooted in the human condition. But this new body of work pushes even further—blending abstraction, realism, and surrealism to probe the unspoken instincts, vices, and virtues that shape our world. From greed and shame to innocence and transcendence, Don’t Anger the Gods leads us through a darkly poetic exploration of the absurdity of existence and the threads that bind us to the cosmos. At its core, this show is a meditation on our flawed humanity—and the mysterious beauty that can still rise from it. Each piece in the exhibition challenges viewers to reckon with the uncomfortable: our collective consumption, destruction, reinvention of beliefs, and our ever-present longing for meaning. It’s art that doesn’t hand you answers, but instead opens up space for deeper questioning. There’s a strong philosophical undercurrent running through the exhibition, but it’s balanced by the sensory richness Rasher is known for. Expect a visceral experience—where sound, taste, and temptation bleed into the visual, inviting not just observation but deep personal engagement. Don’t Anger the Gods feels less like a traditional show and more like a pilgrimage through the subconscious—anchored by Rasher’s masterful technique and unflinching curiosity.

One man’s grotesque pleasures are another man’s inspiration to create a masterpiece.

Exhibitions runs from May 22 - May 28

About the Artist

Rasher, also known as R. M. Kavanagh, is a self-taught artist based in Wicklow. His emotionally resonating oil paintings have been exhibited and collected from London to Los Angeles. Rasher is noted for being an invited artist of the RHA and has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions. Notable commissions include commercial work for Jameson Whiskey Distillery, and patrons of his portraiture include the late King Hussein of Jordan. Rasher’s works are consistently admired for their psychological depth and raw immediacy. Having spent thirty years honing his technique, Rasher’s paintings delve into contemporary themes surrounding interpersonal relationships and the human experience within both familiar and unfamiliar spaces. He lives and works in Wicklow with his wife and children, who share in his creative spirit and insatiable curiosity.