Kevin Gaffney works in photography, writing, video and performance. His writing develops characters (extensions/elements of his own personality) that are then performed through photography and video. The resulting stories and texts are structured upon knowledge-making myths and legends, ones that have shaped how we view society, history and ourselves as humans. Ones that teach us ‘morals’ and ways of behaviour, e.g. Adam & Eve, Pandora’s Box, etc. Re-appropriating these as their inherently sexist and heterosexist agendas are still glaringly present in our ‘progressive’ society, and the artist’ own position (his own humanity, as a clinical ‘sexual minority’) is at odds with their ideology of normality. The texts/metanarratives created often inform the imagery of  “his own lavishly embroidered versions of reality” (Circa 105, Autumn Issue, p.56). The costume and staging aspect of the work references a mass of popular entertainment culture; film, music videos, fashion, musicals and theatre. 

The characters that he creates (part fact/ part performative, part fiction/part performance) are postmodern comments on himself and his stereotyping. Like some failed popstar, “refreshingly self-indulgent and egocentric […] engulfed in excess and narcissism, an artist who unashamedly explores and celebrates his own complicated vanity” (Circa 105). Sometimes interviews are hosted with friends, familiy and enemies who have had experiences of these characters to assist in further refinement of their personalities. Circa, Irish art periodical, notes that it is “this self-assured honest and authenticity [that] allow him to touch on broader issues such as sexuality and suicide with effect and sincerity.”