I’m delighted to be showing again with the Coney exhibition artists. This time we’re at Gallery No. 6 from March 6th – 28th.
These four paintings are on exhibit among great work by Aideen Connolly, Medbh Gillard, Diane Roemer and Lorna Watkins. Come and see!
Still Warm Stone, Oil on Canvas, 30cm x 40cm, 2015
The Flood House, Oil on Canvas, 35cm x 45cm, 2015
The Eve of the Flood, Oil on Canvas, 30cm x 40cm, 2015
Waiting for the Tide, Oil on Canvas, 40cm x 50cm, 2015
Artist Emma Stroude & Writer Sinéad McCoole are collaborating on a unique event at the Model, Sligo for one day only, November 22nd 2014.
Come and experience a modern ‘at home’ -The ‘at home’ was a popular means of socializing in the period before the First World War. Ladies sent out cards indicating times that were suitable for friends to call. Due to social changes following 1918 the activity ceased.
Our ‘at home’ allows visitors to come and listen to the stories from Sinéad McCoole’s new publication Easter Widows and view of a series of modern portraits created by Emma Stroude of Kathleen Clarke, Maud Gonne MacBride, Agnes Mallin, Lillie Connolly, Áine Ceannt, Muriel MacDonagh and Grace Gifford Plunkett. There will also be a pop up exhibit of artifacts, belonging to these women, which will be on view for one day only.
Emma Stroude – Working full time as a Visual Artist based in Sligo. Emma was educated at Chelsea College of Art & Design, The Slade School of Art, University College London and NCAD, Dublin where she was awarded the Terence Gayer Prize.
As well as exhibiting her own work Emma organizes and facilitates Graphite & Easel –weekly self-directed life drawing sessions at The Model, Sligo.
One of the focuses of her work in recent times has been exploring the qualities held by the human face and selected as her subject, Maud Gonne MacBride. These new works expand her exploration to other Irish women patriots.
Emma’s work has been described by John Maher:
‘She works with conviction in blending boldness with sensitivity as a deepening and revealing aesthetic … Her work is striking in its boldness in the handling of her medium. The portrait stares out as a kind of strange ideological dream image, something that will exceed and outspeak the photo image … Working in a new way Stroude is inadvertently setting the record straight on the progress of awareness of this urgent contemporary issue. Her focus on Maud Gonne is intriguing, both artist and subject have taken the renegade path with courage and conviction.The enlightening work of a woman by a woman.’
Sinéad McCoole – has curated exhibitions on Irish history and Irish art, including ‘Lady Lavery: Society and Politics’ (1996), ‘Passion and Politics’ (2010), the Robert Emmet Bicentenary Exhibition (2003) and ‘Guns and Chiffon’ (1997), which toured in the US. In the US she curated ‘Crossings’ (2011) and ‘Island—Drawing Conclusions: Mapping the Irish’ (2012) at the American Irish Historical Society, New York.Her publications include: Hazel: A Life of Lady Lavery (1996), Guns and Chiffon (1997), The Researcher’s Handbook (2000), No Ordinary Women: Irish Female Activists 1900–1923 (2003) and Passion and Politics (2010). Easter Widows.was published by Doubleday Ireland in September 2012
It has been described: ‘of the many books that will be published to commemorate the Easter Rising’s centenary in 2016, few will be as riveting as Sinéad McCoole’s Easter Widows’
On a cold, crisp November morning five women made the carefully timed crossing out across the sand flats to Coney, a small island in the mouth of Sligo Bay that withstands the might of the wild Atlantic on its Western side. For some it was a journey into unknown territory, for others among them, the island was already an old friend.
The five women were Aideen Connolly, Medbh Gillard, Diane Roemer, Lorna Watkins and Emma Stroude, all artists, all friends. They were embarking on an artists’ residency. The days that followed were spent working, exploring, investigating, soaking up the sensation of separation, isolation and the presence and character of the island itself. Although home was tantalisingly in sight, the residency provided an escape from responsibility and a chance to be truly alone and undisturbed. Separately they enjoyed moments of complete solitude and together they shared and fed from each others experiences, insights and diverse perspectives.
A year has passed and the work that began during their time on the island is now culminating in a group show entitled ‘Coney’ at The Hyde Bridge Gallery, Sligo. The diverse skills and perspectives of the group are highlighted in this exhibition featuring drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media and print. This show promises to conjur up memories for those already familiar with the island and tempt those who have not yet visited to check their tide tables in preparation for their first venture out across the strand. It presents five alternative visions of a place, a time and an experience never to be forgotten.
‘CONEY’ runs at The Hyde Bridge Gallery, Sligo from 18th – 29th November 2014,
Celebratory night – 6pm, Thursday 20th November
Great news! On foot of the three portraits of Maud Gonne exhibited as part of the North West Open 2014 at the LSC I have been invited to show in a group exhibition with Amanda Jane Graham, Helen Sharp, John Cullen and Simon Carmen. A massive THANK YOU from me to the Leitrim Sculpture Centre. The space there is fantastic and I think the combination of selected artists will lead to a really interesting and stimulating show. Watch this space…..
These three images are currently on show as part of The North West Open 2014 in Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Manorhamilton. It’s a great show and I’m proud to be part of it! On Saturday 23rd August at 3pm there will be a closing event at the exhibition combining the show with the Dermot Healy Poetry Prize and The Five Glens Festival. Come along…It should be a great afternoon for culture vultures!
I am delighted to have been selected to exhibit as part of this years Cairde Visual. These two pieces, ‘Maud and the Morrigan, 2014’ and ‘Salt and Stone’ 2014 are being exhibited in the Hyde Bridge Gallery, Sligo from Tuesday July 8th until Saturday July 19th.
It’s a strong exhibition and I feel privileged and proud to be shown amidst such talented artists’ work.
The Cairde Festival is an Arts Festival that takes place in Sligo every July. It is a fantastic, culture packed week of events and exhibitions for all ages and pockets.
www.cairdefestival.com
