Irish Artist, Claire Guinan launches her new exhibition In Harmony in The Atrium, Áras an Chontae in Mullingar on Tuesday the 19th of September at 6pm.
Irish artist, Claire Guinan launches her new exhibition In Harmony at The Atrium in the Áras an Chontae in Mullingar on the 19th of September. Guinan presents a collection of works inspired by music and lyrics alongside a number of her large-scale oil paintings of prominent figures from the Irish music scene.
Music is a huge source of inspiration in her work. Her love of music found her at a young age and she began playing music at 7 years old. Claire loves lots of music genres from classical, traditional to rock. She loves the power of music and lyrics and the strong emotions that they bring.
“Music is so powerful” Guinan explains, “It can evoke memories, enhance our emotions and influence our everyday lives.”
Guinan, a Tullamore native, now living and working from her studio in Athlone, studied for her Degree in Fine Art from Limerick School of Art and Design. She continued her studies in University College Dublin with a Masters in Cultural Policy and Arts Management. She grew up surrounded by art and music and this can be seen in both her artworks and jewellery pieces.
Claire works in a variety of mediums namely oils, pencils, ink and watercolours. This exhibition is a selection of delicate pencil drawings with gold detail to her large oil paintings. Her portraits have been featured in The Irish Times, The Examiner and Hotpress Magazine.
In Harmony opens on Tuesday the 19th of September at 6pm in The Atrium in the Áras an Chontae in Mullingar Westmeath and runs until Friday the 29th September
To coincide with her exhibition, Claire is collaborating with Tullamore based singer/ songwriter Olivia Burke to celebrate Culture Night. Claire will be doing a live art demo while Olivia plays an acoustic set; a selection of songs that inspired some of Claires pieces as well as a number of her own songs. This wonderful event is being held on Friday 22nd of September in Dead Centre Brewery in Athlone at 7-9pm. Free admission. All welcome.
For more information check out her Facebook page; Claire Guinan Art and @claire_guinan on Instagram or www.claireguinan.com
About the artist:
Claire Guinan is best known for her portraiture and pencil drawings. She paints predominately in oils and uses pencils as a medium in her work. She also designs and makes her own jewellery. Guinan studied her degree in Fine Art in Limerick School of Art and Design and her Masters in Cultural Policy and Arts Management in UCD and a diploma in Jewellery Design from National College of Art and Design. Claire has been working in the art world since graduating from college. She has worked in the National Galleries of Scotland and in the Hugh Lane Gallery Dublin where she archived over half of the galleries collection. Claire has been teaching art classes for over 15 years to children, adults and community groups.
Piece from In Hamony exhibition
Detail of Devotee, Portrait of Mick Flannery