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Fergus Andrew Ryan
Fergus Andrew Ryan is a representational painter born in Dublin in 1948. His finely-detailed paintings have been exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts, included in the Government of Ireland’s State collection, and featured in International Artist magazine. His portrait Harold was exhibited in the National Gallery of Ireland in the Hennessy Portrait Prize 2016. He was awarded the RHA Senior Artist Prize in 2020, and was a finalist in the 2022 International Salon of the (American) Art Renewal Centre. Influenced by the thoughtful works of Andrew Wyeth and contemporary realists, and more recently by the Norwegian painter Odd Nerdrum, the artist has studied with Israel Hershberg in northern Lazio, and spent the spring of 2015 at the Florence Academy of Art. Fergus was formerly an Aer Lingus pilot on long-haul 707 and 747 operations in North America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East. He holds a first class honors degree and MA in theology and biblical studies from Trinity College Dublin. He is married to Sarah.
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ARTIST'S STATEMENT The first time I saw Andrew Wyeth's egg tempera Christina's World in New York I was captured by an arresting emotion for which I then had no words. It was, I believe, wistfulness, a moment of melancholic recognition of the universal human narrative, a trace of the shadows of private thought, or a left-behindness suggesting some absence, some myth revealing a partly-seen truth as in a dusty mirror. In my own work in egg tempera and in oils the inspiration may be, at its birth, a mere 'whim' or wisp, a yearning, a sense of incompleteness, yet a glimpse of what endures forever. |
ARTIST'S STATEMENT Josephine Geaney’s creative journey is her passion and exploration of the infinite possibilities that paint and materials offer. Each layer of colour is a visceral expression of her deep connection to the art of painting. In her practice she finds a profound love for the interplay between cold wax and oil paint, which has become an essential element in her artistic process. Cold wax, with its thick creamy consistency adds a tactile quality to her work inviting the viewer to engage with the surfaces that breathe life into the art works. The fusion of these two mediums provides a dynamic interplay between opacity and translucency, roughness and smoothness, resulting in a harmonious visual symphony that evokes a sense of wonder and contemplation, transporting the viewer into a realm of sensory engagement, where they can immerse themselves in the interplay of colour, textures and forms. Josephine’s paintings reveal a harmonious blend of colour and texture capturing the essence of her native surroundings. She invites the viewer to experience the magnificence of nature, evoking a sense of wonder and reverence for the world around them. Her compositions often feature the interlay of light and shadow, revealing the ever-changing moods of the landscape. Josephine’s work primarily revolves around her native region. However, her connection to her birthplace remains a constant source of inspiration continually fuelling her creative endeavours. She hopes that her paintings invite the viewer to embark on their own personal journey of exploration, reflection and connection, guided by the luminous power of paint and the transformative potential of art. |
Josephine Geaney
Josephine Geaney is a contemporary visual artist whose captivating paintings serve as an emotional response to the landscape of her native Tipperary. Born in Nenagh, she grew up surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the County. The stunning forests, lakes, majestic mountains and the ever-changing hues of the sky deeply influenced her artistic sensibilities from an early age. Her artistic journey began formally when she enrolled in Limerick School of Art and Design achieving a BA(Hons.) Degree in 2008 and also achieving the Collector Generals award and medal for fine art painting. Inspired by the works of contemporary artists Gerhard Richter, Peter Doig, and Edward Hopper, Josephine delved into creating thought provoking paintings. One of her defining characteristics as an artist is her ability to evoke a wide range of emotions through her work. Her pieces often explore themes of identity, memory and the human condition. Drawing inspiration from the world around her the viewer is invited to engage in introspection and reflection. Over the years Josephine has taken part in numerous solo and groups exhibitions both nationally and internationally. She has been awarded several residencies and awards and her work has been featured in prominent galleries, gathering critical acclaim and capturing the attention of art enthusiasts and collectors. Josephine’s portfolio displays her versatility and commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Her artistic process embraces experimentation and is constantly exploring new techniques and materials, pushing the limits of her creativity. Through her work she aims to inspire viewers to see the world from a different perspective.
As a testament to her artistic prowess Josephine Geaney’s work can be found in private collections and public institutions. 
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Annemiek Hamelink
Annemiek Hamelink works from her studio in the South of the
Netherlands on her whimsical porcelain. She learned ceramics in evening classes and once she found porcelain, she had found her medium and started to develop her signature style. Her work was shortlisted for several ceramic exhibitions in Belgium, the USA, Germany and most recently in Taiwan. Her work is to be treasured and as such is a statement against the throwaway culture. She loves that her works sets free the inner child, and lights up our imagination. www.annemiekhamelink.studio |
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Tina Claffey
Otherworldly Wonders of our Bogs & Wetlands by Tina Claffey.
Award-winning photographer, Tina Claffey, exhibits a selection of her images. Author of Tapestry of Light (2017) and Portal (2022), Tina will also give a free talk on Saturday, 16 September at 2.30pm in An Gáirdín. www.tinaclaffey.com |
The Line for Soup
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Dark Shadows by Kieran Tuohy
Each piece, carved in the medium of bog oak immortalizes the stories of our famine ancestors. From ‘The Line for Soup’ to the ‘Gates of the Poorhouse’, the story of the workhouse and the history of the famine emanates from each face, hand, and bone.
Abandoning the normal bogwood sculpturing techniques of bringing out the natural forms in the wood into apparent objects, Kieran unearths his own images from the wood. He is unique in that he creates his own shapes and uses many subtly different textures to achieve the finish he wants, using the natural flaws in the wood to great effect. www.kierantuohy.com |
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