ARTIST STATEMENT
The role of drawing is fundamental to my work. These drawings of crows and animals are sometimes prefaces to paintings, and sometimes a relaxation from them. They are works in their own right.
They are witnesses to the changes in the landscape of Teeromoyle in South West Kerry – my mother’s place.
My mother died quite young but I was reared on her stories about her childhood in the mountains, so family and a sense of place haunts my work. My mother’s past is my past. Her parent’s house is long gone but the field where the house was remains unchanged and I have painted this field many times.
Painting the field sometimes makes me feel snug, warm and sheltered and other times exposed, vulnerable and turbulent. I remove layers of earth while adding layers of paint
This is my subject matter, not the meaning of my paintings
ART CURRICULUM VITAE/SOLO EXHIBITIONS/PAINTING/DRAWING
- Solomon Gallery Dublin July 2019
- Greenlane Gallery Dingle Co. Kerry November 2018
- Origin Gallery Dublin September 2018
- Origin Gallery Dublin May 2017
- United Arts Club Dublin, October 2017
- The Russell Gallery with Artist Brian Gallagher, The Burren, Co Clare September 2016
- Origin Gallery Dublin May 2015
- United Arts Club Dublin September 2014
- Draiocht Arts Centre Dublin May 2014
- Cill Rialaig Arts Centre Kerry May 2013
- Origin Gallery Dublin March 2012
- Dungarvan Arts Centre, Co Waterford February 2012
- United Arts Club Dublin April 2011
- Henry Gilmore Gallery Belfast November 2010
- Blue Leaf Gallery Dublin September 2010
- United Arts Club Dublin April 2009
- Blue Leaf Gallery Dublin April 2008
- Cill Rialaig Arts Centre April 2007
- Blue Leaf Gallery Dublin May 2005
- Blue Leaf Gallery Dublin September 2002
GROUP EXHIBITION
PAINTING/DRAWING
- Solomon Gallery Dublin 2017, 2018, 2019
- Blue Leaf Gallery 2001 – 2011
- United Arts Club 2001 – 2016
- The Moreton Gallery, Moreton in Marsh, Gloucerstershire UK 2015
- Selected Annual Exhibition Greenlane Gallery Dingle 2005 – 2017
- Selected Group Exhibition on White Tailed Eagle – Muckross Gallery 2008
- Group Summer Show Backstage Theatre Longford 2002
- Group Show Bank of Ireland Arts Centre 2002
- Oireachtas Annual Exhibition 2002, Open Submission
- Eigse Carlow 2003, Open Submission
SELECTED ANNUAL GROUP EXHIBITIONS
SCULPTURE/PAINTING
- Boyle Arts Festival 2017
- Invited Artist – Royal Hibernian Academy Dublin 2014
- Amsterdam Art Fair 2013
- Royal Ulster Academy of Art Open Submission 2005,2006,2007,2008, 2017,2018
- RHA Annual Group Exhibition 1987,1988,1989 and 1991 (sculpture)
- Royal Ulster Academy of Art Annual Exhibition 1993 (sculpture)
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS
- Sculpture – Defender’s Row Plaque – Dundalk
- Sculpture – Morrigan’s Ravens – Dundalk
WORK PURCHASED BY PUBLIC BODIES
- Night Hare – The Office of Public Works, 2012
- An Undulating Silence – The Office of Public Works, 2005
- Seguiría – The Office of Public Works, 2005
- Field – Enterprise Ireland, 2005
RESIDENCIES & FELLOWSHIPS
- Fellowship at Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Co Mayo, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Cill Rialaig Art Centre, Co Kerry, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018
- Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Co Monaghan, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2014, 2019
- Oberpfalzer Kunstlerhaus, Schwandorf, Germany September 2009