Louth artists set to unveil their latest exhibition at Dundalk's Basement Gallery

Bridge Street Studios, a renowned hub of artistry in Dundalk, said it is thrilled to present their latest visual art exhibition, 'Shed,' hosted at the Basement Gallery, An Táin Arts Centre.

The exhibition will run from 22nd February to 30th March, 2024, with opening hours on Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4pm.

The opening launch is set to take place on Wednesday, February 21st, and the artists said they are delighted to welcome Sinéad Murphy, Dundalk based film producer and director, to officially launch the show.

Nestled in a historic 250-year-old grain store, Bridge Street Studios stands as a testament to the thriving creativity within Dundalk.

As one of the oldest and largest independent artistic collectives in Ireland, the Studios have been an integral part of the town's creative fabric since their formation in 1996.

The 'Shed' exhibition features the works of nine dynamic professional artists and craftspeople who are all based in Bridge Street Studios, including Orlaith Cullinane, Rachel Tinniswood, Mary Cowan, Cathy McKeown, Suzanne Carroll, Caoilfionn Murphy O'Hanlon, Orla Barry, Sarah McKenna, and Fiona Quigley.

Their collective expertise spans a wide array of mediums, including paintings, sculpture, prints, ceramics, textiles, and mixed media.

The artists have masterfully explored the theme of "Shed" with rich imagery, allusion, and symbolism, crafting responses and connections on personal, local, and universal levels, a spokesperson said.

Each artist brings a unique perspective to the theme, creating a diverse and thought-provoking exhibition.
 

Highlighted Works from 'Shed':
  - Orla Barry presents a series of hinged triptychs, offering homages to nature that shed light on its wonder and beauty.

-Orlaith Cullinane, through sculpture and drawing, explores the shedding of light into the shadow side of the psyche.

-Rachel Tinniswood manipulates fabric and silk, creating pieces with a skin-like quality that centre around layers and renewal.

- Sarah McKenna's sculptures delve into the layers of stories that shape our identity, exploring the desire to shed certain layers while acknowledging their integral role.

- Fiona Quigley, inspired by the concept of shedding inhibitions, captures the beauty of nature in mixed media pieces, including acrylic, oil, machine embroidery, and handmade papers.

- Suzanne Carroll’s studio practice is influenced by her surroundings on the Cooley Mountains. For 'Shed' the work depicts the now extinct Giant Irish Red Deer.

Many examples of its antlers, which it sheds annually, have been found preserved in our peat bogs and ancient lakes. As we marvel at the spread of this magnificent creature's crowning glory Suzanne encourages the viewer to consider the National Parks and Wildlife’s Red list of threatened native species and asks how many more of our native species are we prepared to shed from the delicately balanced ecosystem on our island.

- Mary Cowan explores an old, abandoned shed near where she lives, creating a series of ceramic sculptures inspired by the treasures found inside.  

-Cathy McKeown’s large vivid paintings explore the duality of spaces as inside and outside.
 

Following the exhibition in Dundalk, 'Shed' will embark on a journey to Armagh Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, where it will be on display from May 17th to July 6th, 2024.

Visual artist, Orlaith Cullinane from Bridge Street Studios said: "I am thrilled to be part of 'Shed,' an exhibition that goes beyond individual perspectives, uniting the diverse talents of Bridge Street Studios.

“Through our collective exploration of the theme, we shed light on the beauty, renewal, and layers of stories that define our artistic journey.

“We can’t wait to invite visitors to the Basement Gallery, providing them with the opportunity to explore this collection of artwork that truly reflects the diverse and vibrant creativity of our members.”

For more information about Bridge Street Studios and the 'Shed' exhibition, please visit www.antain.ie and www.bridgestreetstudios.com