exhibition launch

Last Thursday evening the launch of Memory Is My Homeland took place at Rathfarnham Castle. I had been given the go-ahead to send out invites for a cautious launch as covid restrictions had been lifted only a few weeks beforehand. So it was with some delight that I was able to approach the Castle at dusk.

The  exhibition was officially launched by the Canadian Ambassador, Her Excellency Ms Nancy Smyth (left), with introductory words from Ms Ellen Brickley (right) from the OPW National Historic Properties.

As it has been only a few weeks since covid restrictions have eased, the launch itself was cautious and everyone kept to safety guidelines (social distancing and mask-wearing).

There was a pretty reasonable turnout of guests as people are learning to socialise again! There was wonderful catering (canapés and wine) so of course people could remove masks when eating & drinking, and there was seating scattered in the various rooms so that there were opportunities for people to relax and chat.

I was available to discuss my work with both the Ambassador and Ms Brickley.

Of course, I had some opportunities to greet my friends and guests. This picture encapsulates my main reason for wanting to exhibit at Rathfarnham Castle: the historic walls and gorgeous architecture of the venue!

 

In the Saloon the painting details on the ceiling reflect the period of time in the early 20th century when the castle was owned by the Jesuits.

The Pistol Loop Room provided an intimate space for my linoprints on handmade silk fibre sheets.

There were three false walls, at angles to each other, which provided the surface on which to hang my unique prints.

Back in the large Dining Room, I had a photo opportunity with the Ambassador and my painting, Kingston Road: Waiting.

exhibition install day!

A busy start to the week for me, as my exhibition Memory Is My Homeland  opens to the public on Wednesday (Feb 16). The Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Ms Nancy Smyth is launching the exhibition on Thursday evening. It will be the first launch that Rathfarnham Castle has had over the past two years (because of covid) and will be a small affair, but celebratory. So on Sunday evening everything was wrapped and packed into the car for an early start the next day.

Rathfarnham Castle is an Elizabethan era fortified home 

surrounded by a pleasant park. Although the skies were grey, I was glad that there was no rain to be seen, especially while we unpacked the car.

The false walls had been freshly painted and most were already dry, so work could begin immediately.

As the walls in the dining room weren't completely dry, we started in the saloon.

I was expecting just one other person to assist my husband and I in the hanging, but a fabulous team of OPW carpenters and electricians arrived to carry out the work.

I simply had to place the work where it was be to be hung and talk to the carpenters about placement height and space between works.  Once the work was hung, the electrician adjusted the lighting to my specifications and the painter touched up any areas that had pencil marks.

Everything was done before lunch! Before we left we checked out one of the exhibition signs that had been hung up on the fence between the castle and the carpark. For further information and pictures related to this body of work, do a search on this blog for Memory Is My Homeland.