Press pause and take time out to reflect on these exhibitions celebrating nature, Irish landscapes and the quiet beauty of everyday objects …
Perceptions of Still, Rebekah Mooney, Sol Art, Dublin 2
“I take inspiration from many varied sources,” explains Belfast-based artist Rebekah Mooney. “Sometimes a glassware object or a particularly vibrant label or piece of fruit will catch my eye and prompt me to make a painting.” Her still life works are precise and meditative and will be on show at Sol Art, 10 The Times Building, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2 from Thursday, February 15; www.solart.ie.
Miniature Masterpieces: 100 Years of Irish Stamps, National Print Museum
This joint exhibition between An Post and the National Print Museum celebrates a century of postage stamps in Ireland, featuring original artwork, design proofs, printing plates and other treasures from the An Post Museum & Archive. The exhibition has been described as a tiny window into our history, culture, and society. The stamps reflect the events that have shaped us, from the official overprinting in Irish of British King George V stamps, to the symbolism of the first Irish stamp designs in 1922-23, to contemporary stamps which are expressions of Irish identity in fashion, music, and urban street art. The exhibition’s curator, Stephen Ferguson, says, “At first glance, a stamp is just an everyday object in the corner of a letter but, on closer inspection, it’s a work of art, a symbol of identity, and a unique prism through which we can view and reflect on the formation and development of the Irish State.” This free exhibition runs until May; www.nationalprintmuseum.ie.
Leah Beggs, Everything Smells Different When It Rains, Solomon Fine Art, Dublin 2
Originally from Dublin, Leah currently lives and works in Connemara, Co Galway. Her latest exhibition with the poetic title “Everything Smells Different When It Rains”, explores ideas around our connection to nature, especially after rainfall. Leah has introduced a new colour palette in these works which serves as a visual celebration of nature’s rejuvenation.The exhibition continues until Saturday, March 2; www.solomonfineart.ie.
Ken Browne, The Montenotte, Cork
As part of its ongoing, seven year artist in residence programme with The Gallery Kinsale, Ken Browne is the new artist in residence at The Montenotte, Cork. Originally from Dublin, Ken now lives in Kells, Co Meath. He describes his exhibition of “inscapes” as follows: “The majority of the new collection was done during the lockdown. In my mind, they are very much Irish landscapes captured through memories of places I have visited or have passed through. They enter my mind and later in the studio, they reappear. The mountains may be from Kerry and the skies from Kells. I don’t use photos or images to paint. I always work from memory. They are not only abstract landscapes but “inscapes”, bringing the outside and inside world together, merging places with emotions and letting the viewer follow me on my emotional journey while experiencing their own. That is what my art is about. They are my “Inscapes” and are never of specific places.” www.themontenottehotel.com
Unravelling An Icon, Celebrating and Remembering Brigid and her Legacy, Kildare Town
There’s still time to enjoy an open air art exhibition in Kildare Town where over 20 local businesses are exhibiting 60 works of international and national art in their windows as part of the Brigid 1500 celebrations until February 18. This accessible free exhibition was organised by Sult Artist-led Collective and includes paintings, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, felting, weaving, digital art, stained glass, mosaic and mixed media works. The exhibition can be seen from the outside and will be illuminated in the evening, so people can view the work at all times even when the businesses are closed. www.sultartists.com
Corine Ko, Unconditional Love, The Doorway Gallery, Dublin 2
Corine Ko lives in the south of France and works in mixed media using a combination of acrylic paint, ink, paper collage and photography. In this exhibition she addresses the unconditional love between humans and animals, especially the relationship between women and the natural world. Corine believes that “respecting animals, flora and fauna makes us more worthy of living on this planet.” The exhibition runs until February 17; www.thedoorwaygallery.com.
Niall Cullen, Crosses, Salt Lamps and Fires for a God That Might Exist, SO Fine Art Editions, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Dublin 2
Dublin-based Niall Cullen has been exploring the idea of spiritual growth disassociated from any form of organised religion. In this exhibition, he uses his own rendition of the Celtic cross as a recurring motif. The four arms of the Celtic Cross are said to represent the four elements of fire, earth, air and water while the centre ring is a symbol for God’s endless love, the circle of life, death and infinite life. This symbol has infused Cullen’s thinking with ancient narratives which he merges with his ongoing involvement in subcultures. The new artworks have been made on linen which Niall describes as “non-paintings, relics, objects and artefacts which are excavated from the future”. The exhibition continues until March 5; www.sofinearteditions.com.
