How do you describe your work?

While researching my MA thesis, I was attracted to the humorous, allegorical imagery employed by artists and writers of deeply subversive work such as Hogarth, R Crumb, Goya, Bram Stoker and John Banville. I employ humour and comedy as a tool to break the ice, to disarm and invite the viewer in for a closer look while hopefully conveying certain critiques of the times. An example is, “There is a Storm Coming to the Country Club”. The backdrop suggests a sunny, American holiday resort. The characters, on sun loungers or floating on inflatable flamingos in the pool seem self-preoccupied and unconcerned about the encroaching storm.

Where and how do you work?

My studio, based in Co Kildare, is mostly quiet and free from interruption. I work most days drawing inspiration from diverse sources including literature, magazine cut-outs, classical art, movies, plays and operas for example.

I like to create scenes or stories in my work. I have folders on my PC and each folder resembles a chapter in a book, containing images of people, places and ideas for scenes I want to create. I use Photoshop to assemble the scene discarding and adding until I get a rough draft. After that, I draw the scene until I’m satisfied with composition and colour etc.

I use an unusual medium – enamel paint, mostly on wooden panels. Enamel paint is gooey and dries quite quickly so a painting usually needs to be completed in one session. This can involve a ten hour studio session where I work quickly. Therefore, I need to be quite confident with what I intend to paint before I begin. I need to have worked out all the stages of the piece before I make the first brush stroke. Enamel paint drips so I don’t use an easel. The panels need to be placed a flat surface and I move around the piece when painting rather than standing in one spot all the time.

What is your role in “The Divine” exhibition at HOFA Gallery, London?

I am delighted to be one of twelve international female artists invited to be part of this thought-provoking group show at HOFA [The House of Fine Art], Mayfair, London. HOFA is unique in that it represents a large number of female artists, although, as a gallery it is interested in the high standards and merits of the “artist” themselves, regardless of gender. I will be exhibiting several works at the show and taking an active part in the launch next week on International Women’s Day 2022, talking to press and collectors etc.

We are also celebrating Women’s History month, what does that mean for you as an artist?

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and readdress the sometimes overlooked, achievements and contributions women have made to history. The familiar adage, ‘History is written by the victors’, similarly history has frequently been written by those favouring the achievements of one gender. As a mother of four daughters, I advocate for them to take advantage of the huge strides that have been made in the West for the recognition of equal rights and opportunities for women. In turn, I encourage them to continue to make recognised contributions to their chosen fields of law, education, physics and design. Many women are not afforded these opportunities and the new generation must continue to end this gender divide.

Need to Know: Mary Ronayne’s work is part of “The Divine” exhibition, opening on March 8 at HOFA Gallery, which aims to highlight and address the lack of female artist representation both historically and contemporarily. The exhibition runs until March 22, at 11 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London; www.thehouseoffineart.com.