Ani Mollereau was born in Dublin, Ireland , of a French father and Irish mother and she inherited both their cultural influences. From an early age she became interested in art eventually specialising in sculpture. She has exhibited work extensively, both home and abroad.

Her materials are bronze, silver and bog oak .

Ani draws on the power and beauty of animals to create sculptures. Her work is not about measurement but the spirit of the animal capturing the subject with their strong, flowing , graceful lines, allowing the viewer to see with the eye ,the hand and the soul.

The artist’s work tells us with certainty that there is much more to life than mundane existence. This is surely the purpose of art.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

“ Where the Spirit works with the hands there is art”

My aim is to inspire people to look more carefully at the world around them to discover beauty at a glance

Because animals embody majesty, freedom, passion and endurance, to me they

have a great understanding of life. My work deals with life’s challenges . The abstract quality of the work allows the viewer to find their own story within. My aim is not to dictate but to allow the viewer their own discovery.

My inspiration is life and the world around me, the visible, the invisible, expressing emotion, imagination, identity, life force and nature .

As I work the clay I get immersed in the energy of creation and we grow together.

My art is my life.

Art arises when the secret vision of the artist and the manifestation of nature agree to find new shapes

Ani’s sculpture sways between abstract and figurative.

Ani is self-taught and considers working with clay a wonderful means of self- expression. She does not define herself as a wildlife sculptor: sculpture gave her an interest in animals and not the other way round. The artist does not always make preparatory sketches and never start with a finished idea in mind. The creative process is progressive: what initially resembles an eagle might finish up as a bear! What interests the artist the most are the shapes and the various aspects that the clay adopts during the work..

Ani uses simplified forms, which she produces in a very personal way. The artist is guided by her intuition and creates animals with form and dynamic lines that give the motionless substance the impression of movement. Working with intensity, each piece is meticulously fashioned before being cast in bronze; she works closely with the foundry.

Ani’s bronze animals have travelled all over the world: The artist has been exhibiting for nearly 30 years in National, international shows and fairs. By presenting her own version of animals, all curves, lines and edges. Ani has developed her own style and breaths new life into the material.

Exhibitions:

Alliance Francaise Dublin
Oireachteas National Exhibition, selected on each occasion submitted work, won Sculpture award in 2002.
Kilkenny Castle Tower, solo exhibition “Women in Celtic Mythology”
The Granary Waterford, 6 week exhibition 2001
Kilkenny Arts Week, 5 solo exhibitions.
The Kilkenny Gallery exhibition Kilkenny Arts Festival, last 6 years
Shared exhibition with Janet Brabazon called The Stable, equestrian art exhibition Kilkenny.
Short-listed for Royal Ulster Academy 2014, 2017 and 2018
Sculpture in Context, Botanic Gardens, Dublin. Selected each time submitted, 5 times. 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017
2017 Selected for Society of Equestrian Artists summer Exhibition at The Palace Gallery Newmarket, England, 2 sculptures.
2018 Business to Arts Award with MacDonagh Junction Famine Experience, Famine Sculpture

3rd place international art on-line exhibition also highly commended. 2018
2018 Selected for 10x10x10 exhibition at The Puffin Gallery Northern Ireland. 2018
2020 Solo Exhibition, Sol Art Gallery Dublin, Ireland
2020 Lacuna Festival 2020, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Commissions

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Trophy 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Godolphin Stable Staff awards, international annual award
Irish Breeders Classic Perpetual Trophy, Barnadown Co. Wexford
Dame Alice Kyteler , Kytelers Inn, Kilkenny . Large sculpture of Witch Dame Alice
Large sculpture for McDonough Junction Shopping Centre, Kilkenny Famine Experience.

Work in private collections in:

Ireland France

England Australia

Hungary Holland

Japan USA

Galleries:

Whitethorn Gallery Clifden, Co Galway Sol Art Gallery, D’Olier St, Dublin

Alan Redmond Fine Arts, Kildare

Caster Gallery Budapest, Hungary