We want to connect Westmeath artists. Each month, we will be spotlighting an artist from or practicing in the county. The second artist of 2024 is Mel French, read more about her and her work below.
Mel French's work is multi-disciplinary , using drawing, installation, video, sound, sculpture and animatronics .French explores what it is to be human and our complexities as living, thinking beings. Drawn to themes deeply rooted in our human function and dysfunction such as grief, mental health, social and sexual behaviour and bodily function French's work evolves through the comparison of psychosomatic understandings with comparative research of animals including behavioural ecology, evolution, zoology, animal psychology and adaptation.
Recent exhibitions include 3, 2 person exhibitions with Visual Artist ,Celine Sheridan , Mammalia and Psyche ,curated by Catherine Marshall, Limerick City Gallery of Art February to April 2023, Anthropomorphia, The Complex , curated by Mark O 'Gorman, June 2023 and The Zoology Museum ,Trinity College Dublin June -August 2023.Recent selected group exhibitions include Displacement and Belonging-Home, Rua Red 2023 and Sa Lar ,Luan Gallery,2023 curated by Emer McGarry. French was awarded The Arts Council Agility Award 2023 and 2021, The Arts Council Professional Development Award and Covid 19 response Award 2020,Westmeath Creative Ireland Award 2021 and 2020,The Westmeath Artists Support Award 2023 and 2022 and The Westmeath Artist Bursary annually between 2021-2015.
Upcoming exhibitions include Feminine spaces , Courthouse Gallery and Studios, a 3 person exhibition with Vera Ryklova and Lorraine Cleary, curated by Eanna Byrt, 2024 .French is currently developing new animatronic work and video installation work with Arts Council funding.
You can follow Met on Instagram @melfrench
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If you would like to be included in our artist spotlights, email arts@westmeathcoco.ie with Artist Spotlight in the subject.