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