Sheena Meaghar

Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon

September 12- October 4

Clare – Voyance
Artist Sheena Meagher collects wordscapes and adds her own visions of the county.

This is a body of work focusing on the power of place and memories relating to County Clare. During the process of creating paintings and installations for this exhibition, ‘wordscapes’, or pictures painted with words were sought from a wide section of the Co. Clare community by artist Sheena Meagher.

Over one hundred people contributed powerful wordscapes that capture the musicality of the Clare voice, rich literary and musical traditions, the influences of landscape on people, and a vibrant sense of community. These, together with the original paintings and installations by the artist combine to evoke the rich tapestry of life found in Co. Clare.

Artists Statement;

As I have been coming to Lahinch since I was a small child, Co. Clare represented freedom and holidays. During these long, easy days anything could happen, any idea could occur to me. My paintings and installations celebrate particular moments from times enjoyed in Clare. My hope is that visitors to this exhibition will respond to my work and to the collected wordscapes by recalling their own times of freedom and inspiration.

About the Artist

Sheena Meagher worked as an architect in Dublin and Rome, receiving an award from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland in 1993. Key to her philosophy was how we inhabit a place, and our impact on the environment. In 2002 she began a transition towards painting having worked with fresco in Venice, painting with rich earth pigments and lime mortars on historic buildings. She was introduced to Chinese painting techniques by Weimin He. Struck by the relative immediacy and creative freedom offered by the process she began a transition towards painting full time. Generous sweeps of colour to articulate detail can be accomplished by the same brush as it tapers from a full base to a fine tip. The distinctive and vibrant colour palate may be applied densely or in gentle translucent washes.

She continues to concern herself with the built and the natural environment; sense of place, atmosphere, movement and energy. Sheena now works and lives at the edge of the Atlantic having moved to live and work in Co. Clare.

Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co. Clare

Opened Tuesday to Saturday, 12 to 5pm. 065 7071630 or email:ennistymon@mail.com