DAMES AND DISCS

DAMES AND DISCS

A PAINTED WHITE LADY STATUE AND VINYL RECORD EXHIBITION

White Lady Art Gallery

14 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2

May 3rd – 29th 2014

Grand opening 3rd May, 18:00 - 22:00

Opening night will have in-house entertainment from DJ Skelly B, free refreshments and BYOB.
Come and see the infamous white lady statues hand-painted by twenty artists in this group exhibition. Also called the 'white lady of Cabra' you can spot the white lady statues in people's windows around Dublin city - often multiples statues in the windows of a whole house! We will also have hand-painted vinyl records and canvas "album covers".

For further information check out www.whiteladyart.com

ARTIST LIST

Poncho Byrne - Illustration & Design
Verz Art
Jessica Tobin
Harriet Myfanwy Nia Tahany
Laura Fitzpatrick - Fibre Artist
Om Nama Shivaya
Rob Crane
Eric Two Headed Dog
Kin MX
Loki Art & Illustration
Boz Mugabe
Lamp Love
Fink Art
Iljin Prjct
KURTZ - AMOR
Kevin Bohan Art
Mels2 dark graffiti and design
Paulo Ferreira
Fergal Coghlanl
Marcamix

Click on the poster image above to RSVP on facebook!

My piece the Gothic white lady

At the exhibition.

Video from the opening night at White Lady Art Dublin

Getting my spray paint on

Not long now until the upcoming female street art exhibition at White Lady Art in Dublin, I have not posted to my blog for a while so here is a little preview on one of the pieces I have made for the show.

This piece is done with spray paint and acrylic for the outlines and the hair below is a work in progress photo showing the piece at an earlier stage.  More photos of my other works in progress coming here soon!!

'Who Pulls The Strings?' Showing for the 2nd time in Co. Sligo

'Who Pulls The Strings?'

Solo Show at

Teach Ban Art Gallery, Drumcliffe Co. Sligo!

This April 12th - 27th 2014

Click on the poster image above to RSVP on facebook!

This 12th to 27th April I will be showing my 'Who Pulls The Strings? Exhibition in Co. Sligo at Teach Bán - Art Gallery - Drumcliffe, Sligo, Ireland.

This new collection was premiered at Temple Bar, Dublin's White Lady Art gallery between the dates of July 4th – 27th 2013.

Press Release:

Teach Bán - Art Gallery - Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo, Ireland

New work by Harriet Myfanwy Nia Tahany

Who Pulls The Strings?

Opening reception Saturday 12^th of April 2014 3pm - 6pm

Teach Bán - Art Gallery - Drumcliffe, Sligo will be presenting a new exhibition by Irish Pop Surrealist - Harriet Myfanwy Nia Tahany, from April 12th – 27th 2014.

Harriet  a recipient of the RDS Taylor award, received her degree in 2007 from Sligo IT and graduated from the University of Ulster in 2009 with a Masters in Fine Art. Harriet has exhibited in Dublin, Belfast and Sligo. This new body of work includes paintings, drawings and prints with a Jungian theme, exploring concepts derived from an esoteric interpretation of the classic children’s story Pinocchio.

Jung believed that, to be psychologically healthy, one must strike a balance between the demands of society and what we really are, in being oblivious to one’s persona he believed that to be underestimating the importance of society, but to be unaware of one’s deep individuality, is to become society’s puppet.

‘Who Pulls The Strings?’ is an exhibition based on this Jungian notion, an exploration of ideas and narratives set in a psychedelic dreamscape depiction of puppet characters in a metaphysical world.

Harriet is well known for her ongoing exploration of themes inspired by ‘hermeneutics’, the art of literal translation, in attention to characters, events and symbols in a story’s underlying structure, often with a particular emphasis on fairytales and mythology. In this new body of work we see Harriet expand her artistic depictions of story analysis into the exploration of allegory, a device used widely in histories of all forms of the arts because of its immense power to illustrate complex ideas and concepts in ways that are easily accessible and tangible to an audience.

Harriet has focused on esoteric concepts from Carlo Lorenzini’s classic story of Pinocchio and the more famously adapted version in the 1940's Disney classic. This story of a wooden puppet that comes to life conceals spiritual allegory with roots in the mystery schools of occultism. Harriet explains further:
“The children’s story about “being good” and ”not lying” as allegory becomes the quest for wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. Crammed with timeless and honest social commentaries, Pinocchio depicts a very unsettling vision of our modern world and prescribes, perhaps, a way to escape its traps. Striving to achieve a higher level of spirituality through self-improvement is a very universal theme found in most religions. Pinocchio’s allegory exposes itself as typically Masonic and reveals the philosophical background of those in control of the mass media.”

We see these themes illustrated in Harriet’s new work through depictions of journeys into inner metaphysical worlds, described by decorative psychedelic patterns of circular motifs.

The puppet characters who are all females, are contemplative of this artists own individuality and “dark alluring forces of a vast collective consciousness, that is the Mass Media; filtering into the collective unconsciousness and swaying them from discovering who they really are.”  They appear tainted with a sweet yet sinister confusion, through the unsettling juxtaposition of imagery stylistically inspired by “popular toy culture and fashion as being the invisible strings that control them.”

FEMALE STREET ART EXHIBITION

FEMALE STREET ART EXHIBITION

White Lady Art Gallery

14 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2

April 5 - May 1st 2014

I will be showing some new work as part of a collaborative Female Street Art Exhibition, Showcasing 9 of Ireland's best Female Street Artists this April at Templebar's,  ‘White Lady Art’ Gallery Dublin.

Opening Reception: Saturday 5th April, 18:00 - 22:00
Drink refreshments available
Music DJ
Strictly over 18's - all others welcome during the month of exhibition.

Friz - www.thisisfriz.com/
Lolz - www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Fitzpatrick-Fibre-Artist/496925040340537
Kin MX - www.kathrrina.blogspot.ie/
Loki Nom Nom - www.facebook.com/LokiCharms?fref=ts
Novice - www.facebook.com/jessica.tobin.902
Made - www.facebook.com/emily.nayhreeart?fref=ts
Bubu - www.facebook.com/aru.roncada
Myfanwy Nia - www.myfanwynia.com/
FOX - www.facebook.com/sineadbailey.kelly?fref=ts

LIVE STREET ART EVENT!
To be held in April, Bernard Shaw Pub
11-12 Richmond St S, D2
More details and date to be confirmed...

White Lady Art is proud to present the first exhibition of street art by female artists based in Ireland. These talented artists, each with their own individual flourishing practice, will showcase their work together as an expression of empowerment among women artists to a younger generation of female artists. The exhibition is about women empowering women by working together. Street Art is still a relatively recent phenomenon, hitting the global stage and gaining attention within the realms of the high art world. It has carved its way into the long parade of art history, although much of the literature surrounding Street Art has had a focus of citing the profession as being male-dominated. Female artists who have had the spot-light often are discussed in the context of their gender struggles within the scene. As such, these struggles are often seen as being due to the under-representation of female artists. Female artists like Miss Van, Fafi, Maya Hayuk, Olek, Lady Pink, Faith 47, Lakwena, Sheryo, Kashink, and many more can be included as women who have paved the way for female artists today when it comes to Street Art. The under-representation of alternative or New Contemporary styles in Ireland finally appears to be positively shifting, and this is indeed a very vibrant and exciting time in Ireland for Street Art culture. This exhibition is about celebrating of equality focusing on positivity; it's a call to more female artists to embrace this style and feel welcome to participate in the Irish urban art. This exhibition also presents the debut of this newly founded collective of dedicated artists 'Minaw Collective' (M.C.) and also provides the long-awaited platform that introduces the Irish side of female street artist culture. We look forward to see more future collaborative projects from them.
The gallery has invited each artist to speak individually about their experiences working as a female street artist, either in Ireland or in their home country, and their comments will be published leading up to the opening night.

Click on the poster image below to RSVP on facebook:

'Drawing Inspiration' Group Exhibition at White Lady Art, Templebar, Dublin.

I have been working on three new framed pieces as part of a group exhibition of drawings this March at Templebar, Dublin’s ‘White Lady Art’ Gallery:

A Little Bird Told Me

work in progress

The first pieces I worked on are both in pencil, I usually do lots of rough sketches in pencil as part of my working out for paintings and larger charcoal pieces, it was nice to spend the time working the pencil into a finished piece.

I coloured the background of the piece with black Indian Ink.

Framed and mounted ready to be sent of to Dublin.

 

Where Water and Sky Meet

Here is another piece I did in pencil:

Midnight Meeting

Charcoal on Fabriano, embellished with pearls and rhinestones.

White Frame and Black Mount.

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Drawing Inspiration

March 1st - 27th 2014

Opening Reception Saturday 1st March
White Lady Art Gallery
14 Wellington Quay, D2

This exhibition aims to highlight the drawing skills and imagination of artists whose work is usually done in paint and other mediums. Drawing is often the starting point for many aspiring artists, so we decided to try and inspire those who admire the work of these artists by showing what can be achieved with pencils, ink and pen. Some of the featured artists are seasoned exhibitors while others are coming to the end of completing art college qualifications. We are fortunate to have not only Irish artists in this exhibition, but also from France, Italy, Canada, the Philippines and Brazil. All works will be framed and ready for your viewing pleasure!

Opening reception:
Saturday 1st March
BYOB and sponsorship from Deveney's Rathmines
Live music
STRICTLY OVER-18's - ID required

Harriet Myfanwy Nia Tahany (IRELAND) - www.myfanwynia.com
Kevin McSherry (IRELAND) - www.mcsherry.ie
Fergal O'Connor (IRELAND) - www.smashdemguineapigs.wordpress.com
Ciou (FRANCE) - www.ciou.eu
Malojo (FRANCE) - www.malojoart.fr
Franeck (FRANCE) - www.neneck.blogspot.ie/
Chris Judge (IRELAND) - www.chrisjudge.com
Daire Lynch (IRELAND) - www.facebook.com/dairelynch
Hawkie (IRELAND) - http://www.whiteladyart.com/index.php/artist-interviews/58-hawkie-ireland
Emic (IRELAND) - www.facebook.com/thismeansnothing
Stu Edwards (CANADA) - www.facebook.com/artofstuedwards
Jessica Tobin (IRELAND) - www.facebook.com/jessica.tobin.902
Thiago Ritual (BRAZIL) - www.facebook.com/ThiagoRitual?fref=ts
Boz Mugabe (IRELAND) - www.bozgallery.com
Dominick O'Cruadhliocht (IRELAND)
Nester Illustration (PHILIPPINES) - http://nesterillustration.wix.com/nesterillustration#!about/c10fk
Neirus (ITALY) - www.facebook.com/NeirusArt?fref=ts
Damian O'Donohue (IRELAND) - www.itsdod.com/
Rude Waterzooi (FRANCE) - www.facebook.com/rude.glibert
Mels2 Dark Graffiti And Design (HUNGARY) - www.facebook.com/Mels2Art?fref=ts

2016 Update since this exhibition, these framed drawings are held currently available for sale with Teach Ban art gallery.

Teach Ban art gallery is run and curated by artist Tom O’Rourke. Teach Ban is situated near an ancient monastic site rich in history beside St Columba’s Church, Drumcliffe, Co Sligo in the west of Ireland. You can contact Tom O'Rourke, the gallery owner, on +353 (0)87754 9760

Cristmas Craft Markets 2013

Dublin

I was in Dublin last weekend for a craft market at White Lady Art in Dublin's Templebar. I had a lovely day, the markets at the gallery will be every weekend until Christmas and well worth a visit in conjunction with the 'Needles and Pens' Exhibition which is still running for the month of December.

Here are some photos of my stall last weekend in Dublin, with special thanks to my friends Brigit Smith, Vanessa Cann and Adriana Dorotova for helping out on the day

Sligo Town

I also did a stall the following Saturday in Sligo Town at the Model Art Gallery on The Mall with my lovely apprentice who has been helping me on Wednesdays in the studio, Nikita Turner a student on work experience for a business administration course in Lough Allen College, she will be continuing her work experience with me until May 2014, so was lovely to have a helping hand on the day of the Christmas Sligo Flea Market.
I showcased lots of new pieces of my 'Art Print Jewellery' featuring miniature prints from my work, Prints, Postcards and some of my new decoden phone covers. I will be updating my online store with many of these items early in 2014 for all of you who missed me at the craft markets.
Here are some photos from the day at the Model in Sligo.

2013 Christmas Card Release

Here are my new 2013 Christmas cards; entitled 'Pine Marten's Winter Home' they are available now in the Shop section of my website. The image is drawn with pencils and then digitally manipulated into this design with Photoshop CS6; it was a nice change to use a little digital software to make these. The cards are embellished with festive ribbons, beads and plastic wrapped with accompanying envelopes.
The inspiration for this image is a pine martin living in my studio; he abides in the ceiling and walks around on my loft when he thinks I can't see him. He mostly sleeps during the day in the rock wool nest he has burrowed in my roof insulation and he comes out at night and leaves messy footprints on my work surfaces after he has walked across my paint pallets. He's been there for months, but only recently he has become a bit too comfortable and treats my sink as his own personal toilet. He is the cutest of animals and that is perhaps why I have put up with him so long, he's about the size of a large cat and I was very close to getting a humane cage trap and bringing him up to the forestry. Saying that I drew this and realized his warm winter home is also in my heart.

Decoden iphone Covers

In the studio this week making these new pieces, they are embellished iphone 5 covers.

These pieces feature tiny cameo art prints and yummy foe cake frosting made from resin inspired by Japanese, Decora and Decoden or Dekoden. The term “deco” is intuitively short for decorated and “den” is short for “denwa” meaning “phone” in Japanese.

On these phone covers I have added a glass art print cabochon with a range of resin cast objects, dolls house ceramics, gems, pearls and a mirror. I included the mirror on these as the iphone's camera is located above it, for all those girly girls who like to paint their face and pose for photos.

I will be selling these at craft markets this Christmas season, on the 7th of December at White Lady Art in Dublin's Temple Bar and on the 14th in Co. Sligo at the Model Gallery on The Mall.

Mini Watercolours

I have made these miniature watercolour painting's 6 x 9cm on paper in a black resin frame. These are part of a group exhibition with a tattoo theme ‘Needles and Pens’ opening this November 2nd at White Lady Art, Temple Bar, Dublin.

Floating Ribbon 1

Floating Ribbon 2

Love Bird

Burning Heart

Needles and Pens

I have been in the studio working on these new painting's in acrylic, charcoal and resin, 45cm on a round supports. I'm painting these as part of a group exhibition with a tattoo theme ‘Needles and Pens’ opening this November 2nd at White Lady Art, Temple Bar, Dublin.
These paintings began with charcoal under drawings, They were then fixed with clear acrylic spray lacquer, once this lacquer was dry I painted in details and backgrounds with acrylic paint. These were then coated with a glassy two part resin, I used a screen print squeegee to level the poured on resin.

Here are the photos of the charcoal under drawings and the finished pieces:

Blue Willow

The theme of this piece is inspired by my mothers dish-ware, 'Willow Pattern' . There is a romantic Chinese fable behind the plates,
the daughter of a Chinese dignitary falling in love with a gardener or such lowly profession, forbidden love, drama, in the end the lovers turned themselves into swallows to be able to be together.

Rosie 2013

 

Charm Update!: Polymer Clay Layerd Cakes

I have been making lots of new jewelry pieces recently, the above charm bracelet features some of the polymer clay cakes I have been making. I'm really enjoying these and have some new ideas for some other charms.

I wanted to do a little process blog on how these are made:

I start by rolling out three colors of polymer clay these set the type of cakes I am making, this time mint and chocolate cream and strawberry and chocolate cream. I do this with a pasta machine, a tool used for rolling out lasagne sheets. Set to its thickest setting because these will be the middle cake layers. I use three sizes of circle cutters to cut the cakes into rings. I didn't have a very tiny circle cutter so I used a lid of a ball point pen and cut the top off with a blade.

I started with the biggest cutter and cut a circle of each of the colors, then cut the second circle into these making the first circle a hoop, I did this again with the middle circle.

The next stage is making a new full circle from all the pieces, it kind of looks like a target.

I made enough for 4 full cakes in each colour spectrum :)

I then stacked the circles to create the layered cake.

I rolled out a very thin layer of the chocolate brown colour to ice the cake, I do this by wrapping the cake up in the icing.

Here are the cakes wrapped in the icing! I did this same process with the mint chocolate cakes...

Here are the cakes, I put them on a board in the freezer for 5 mins to chill before I cut them, this stops the colours blurring together when I slice them. I also chilled a bit of the mint green for some decorative stars I want to add, cut with a plunger cutter:

Here is the cake slice, the layering made the cake have a checkerboard effect. I added texture to the sponge part of the cake slice with a toothbrush. I used a eye screw to make the charm cake hang-able the stars have a tiny glass gem, plastic gems are no good for fimo cakes as they would melt in the oven.

 

I cut some slices of fimo strawberry
canes to add to the strawberry cake these are made with a process called Mileflorie.

I made a small twist of white as cream and added the fruit strawberry. Yummy! These are now ready to bake!

The finished charms are available in my shop on my website individually or as part of a individual jewelry piece.