Artist
11 Digital Archival pigment prints
Surreal Estate: Graphic Studio Gallery: May 2013
The digital prints which make up Surrealshadow represent views of the fabricated interiors and exteriors of Surrealight. The patterns of curtains and glass, the interplay of light and shadow and the image of windows all are shown in stasis and as such appear stage-like and inanimate in comparison. It interests me how differently these spaces are perceived and how our emotional response is altered.
One More Push
Thermal transfer, stencil and screen print on aluminium.
40cm x 40cm
2012
Shadows and reflections, night scenes, childhood and the traditional iconography of fairytales are all themes that I draw upon. These have morphed into a fascination with the interpretation of dereliction and regeneration.
While perfection through repetition is a time-honoured concept, I am more attracted to the differences that constant repetition can reveal. I create several prints from each transfer matrix which while akin to the notion of the ghost image in monoprinting differs in that the subsequent prints are not necessarily considered as inferior and can be quite different to the first impression. I have used screenprinting both to produce the thermal print matrix and as an element of the final print to incorporate the notion of the ‘constant’ to this process. This notion of the constant is employed mainly to draw attention to that which is disparate.
Another Push More
Thermal transfer, stencil and screen print on aluminium.
40cm x 40cm
2012
Dimensions: 16cm x 16cm
Thermal transfer screen print and stencil on aluminium
Unique
Permanence and timelessness are reflected in ‘Family album’ in which we are confronted by the frozen attention of a photographed group of children. They stare out, some with resignation, some anticipation and encourage the viewer to look into their imagined lives, to wonder whether their hopes were realised or fears unfounded. In turn, it leads to our own appraisal of our place in time.
Old photographs of anonymous people from an earlier century, were obviously once contemporary and the marked occasions were recent memories. Now looking at a theatrical shot of a group of children, you wonder about the individuals; you read so much into their expressions. How did their lives turn out, were their hopes and dreams fulfilled? To me these children represent our fleeting lives, their poses and stares remind us of the quote ‘As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be’.
The interest in impersonal photographs is curious, they no longer have any real identity but also copies of these photos must exist carefully annotated in cherished family albums leading to a co-existence of remembered and imagined lives.
Glass Woman
Dimensions: 20 cm x 25 cm
Etching and relief print on Zerkall
Edition of 20
Matrix: Graphic Studio Gallery
9th December 2010 – 29 January 2011
Matrix in printmaking terms means the printing surface i.e. the stone, metal, wood etc. Matrix is also understood in mathematical terms as a rectangular array of quantities, in biological terms as the substance between cells, and in environmental terms as a material in which something develops. This theme brings together art and science, and in turn, the evolutionary and transitional nature of printmaking.
Over fifty gallery artists and studio members have responded to the theme of Matrix, producing a variety of work including etching, lithography and screenprint.
Artists involved: Sophie Aghajanian, Yoko Akino, James Allen, Margaret Arthur, Jean Bardon, Margaret Becker, Carmel Benson, Maureen Buckley, Gerard Cox, Danielle Creenaune, Gráinne Cuffe, Jean Duncan, Louise Farrelly, Paul Fitters, Mary Fitzgerald, Paula Fitzpatrick, Ivan Frew, Jo Gorner, Gerard Greene, Mary Grey, Alice Hanratty, Takahiko Hayashi, Nickie Hayden, Marianne Heemskerk, Clare Henderson, Raymond Henshaw, Gavin Hogg, Siobhan Hyde, Lilian Ingram, Fiona Joyce, John Keating, Desmond Kenny, Brian Lalor, Jennifer Lane, Stephen Lawlor, Louise Leonard, Daniel Lipstein, David Lunney, Niamh Mac Gowan, Bernadette Madden, Kelvin Mann, Andrzej Mazur, Anne Marie Mc Ardle, James McCreary, Deirdre McCrory, Niamh McGuinne, John McNulty, Margo McNulty, Frieda Meaney, Susan Morley, Niall Naessens, Liam Ó Broin, Ruth O’Donnell, Ciara O’Hara, Suzannah O Reilly, Caroline Patten, Amelia Peart, Leila Pedersen, Sioban Piercy, Alison Pilkington, Paula Pohli, Jean Paul Probani, Sarah Rogers, Piia Rossi, Robert Russell, Joe Ryan, Deirdre Shanley, Vincent Sheridan, Constance Short, Tracy Sweeney, Adrienne Symes, Elke Thönnes, Nicole Tilley, Margaret Tuffy, Valerie Vahey, Marja Van Kampen, Marta Wakula-Mac and more…
This Must be the Place
Dimensions: 24cm x 22cm
Edition of 10
Etching and aquatint on Zerkall
Home: Draíocht, Dublin 12th November 2010 – 22nd January 2011
Graphic Studio Dublin rounds off its 50th Anniversary with a Members’ Exhibition on the theme of ‘Home’. The title refers to our notions of belonging and family and is particularly relevant at this time of year, a time when we return to the places and people that create our own sense of home. All the feature prints showcase the finest skills in fine art printmaking techniques, including etching, lithography, woodblock print, linocut and a variety of mixed media techniques. All works are priced under €250.
Exhibiting Artists:
Yoko Akino, Maureen Buckley, Gerard Cox, Gráinne Cuffe, Louise Farrelly, Paul Fitters, Niamh Flanagan, Mary Grey, Nickie Hayden, Clare Henderson, Siobhan Hyde, Lilian Ingram, Desmond Kenny, Stephen Lawlor, Maev Lenaghan, Louise Leonard, Pamela Leonard, Daniel Lipstein, Niamh McGuinne, Margo McNulty, Susan Morley, Merijean Morrissey, Eilis Murphy, Deirdre Nolan, Ciara O’Hara, Geraldine O’Reilly, Caroline Patten, Sarah Rogers, Robert Russell, Joe Ryan, Adrienne Symes, Elke Thönnes, Michael Timmins, Margaret Tuffy and Marta Wakula-Mac
Elements
Dimensions: 30cm x 30cm
Etching and screen print on BFK Rives
Edition of 10
Gold:
Graphic Studio Gallery 4th June – 26th June 2010
Galway Arts Festival 9th July – 25th July 2010
2010 marks the 50th anniversary of Graphic Studio Dublin. To celebrate this golden anniversary studio members have contributed work based on the theme “Gold”. Artists exhibiting are: Yoko Akino, Meadhbh Arthurs, Jean Bardon, Eilbhe Brennan, Gerard Cox, Gráinne Cuffe, Caroline Donohue, Cliona Doyle, Louise Farrelly, Paul Fitters, Niamh Flanagan, Mary Grey, Nickie Hayden, Clare Henderson, Siobhan Hyde, Lillian Ingram, Desmond Kenny, Brian Lalor, Jennifer Lane, Sharon Lee, Maev Lenaghan, Louise Leonard, Pamela Leonard, Daniel Lipstein, Niamh Mac Gowan, Kelvin Mann, Niamh McGuinne, Margo McNulty, Susan Morley, Niall Naessens, Deirdre Nolan, Liam Ó Broin, Ruth O’Donnell, Geraldine O’Reilly, Caroline Patten, Marc Reilly, Robert Russell, Joe Ryan, Vincent Sheridan, Adrienne Symes, Elke Thonnes, Nicole Tilley, Michael Timmins, Margaret Tuffy, Ciaran Tuite, Katherine Van Uytrecht and Marta Wakula-Mac. Also featured are works by past chairpeople and founding members; Patrick Hickey, John Kelly, Leslie MacWeeney, Elizabeth Rivers, Anne Yeats and Mary Farl Powers.
Apart from a period in the 18th Century when Dublin became known as a centre for the manufacture of mezzotints, there has been little tradition of printmaking in Ireland. In 1960 Patrick Hickey, Leslie MacWeeney, Liam Miller, Elizabeth Rivers and Anne Yeats founded the Graphic Studio Dublin to teach traditional printmaking skills (then unavailable in Irish art colleges), and to provide studios and technical assistance to artists to make fine art prints. It was opened in a small basement in Upper Mount Street. In 1983 the Studio workshop moved to a much larger premises in the Docklands at Green Street East. The studios moved once again in 2007 to a stunning converted granary building: Distillery House, North Circular Road, Dublin 1. The workshop has facilities for etching, lithography, and woodblock printmaking. Since the studio’s beginnings in 1960 the awareness of printmaking has grown in Ireland, as has its importance as an artistic media through studio and gallery initiatives such as education and travelling exhibitions. This exhibition is due to travel to the Galway Arts Festival in July of this year.
Moonlit Roof
Etching, aquatint and drypoint on paper
50cm x 30cm
2010
This print is part of a series of prints entitled Moon Phase, a theme that I periodically add to as the theme evolves. It includes Hirsute (2011), The Somnambulist (2014) and Noli Me Tangere (2015).
Things connected to the moon include, moods, tides, lunacy, eclipse, sleep walking and werewolves. I use these ideas to illustrate the complex issues surrounding adolescence and having to grow up. They are also hugely inspired by writers such as Angela Carter (Company of Wolves), Karen Russell (St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves) and fairy tales.