Delighted to have my painting, 'The Healing Land' selected for ‘BLOODROOT’ exhibition.

Written By Maria Noonan-McDermott

‘The Healing Land’, Oil on canvas, 30cm x 30cm

Delighted with the news that my painting, 'The Healing Land' has been selected to participate in the inaugural BLOODROOT exhibition, alongside over 100 other female artists..

This unique exhibition is Themed on selected poetry by esteemed Irish Poet, Annemarie Ní Churreáin,  from her Bloodroot collection, published by Doíre Press.  

Hamilton Gallery, Sligo in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland presents this exciting exhibition at Pulchri Studio, The Hague, The Netherlands,

Opening on January 22nd 2025.

ABOUT LÁ FHÉILE BRÍDE

1st February marks the beginning of spring and the celebration of Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day. The day has long symbolised hope, renewal and the feminine.

Since 2018, Irish Embassies and Consulates across the world have been marking the day by celebrating the creativity of women, through a broad programme of events. From Wellington to Warsaw, Sydney to Santiago, London to Lisbon, Ireland’s diplomatic network, in partnership with local communities is celebrating the remarkable contribution women have made, and continue to make, across the world.

Hamilton Gallery, Sligo has curated three major exhibitions involving hundreds of women artists, in association with Irish Embassies around the world for this celebration. 

Previous exhibitions, which I am honoured to have my work included in, themed on the lives and work of women writers Leland Bardwell, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and Eva Gore-Booth have been shown in London, Beijing, Dublin, Berlin and New York.

This year, the open call exhibition, based in the International city of Peace and Justice is centered on the poetry of Annemarie Ní Churreáin. Four poems have been selected by Annemarie from her powerful debut collection Bloodroot as inspirational and thematic springboards for participating artists. 

The selected poems are...

Six Ways to Wash Your Hands, Bog Medicine, Sisters and Market Prayer.

#hamiltongallery #hamiltongallerysligo

#pulchristudio #annemarieníchurreáin #bloodroot

Maria Noonan-McDermott

Irish Artist Maria Noonan-McDermott Bio


Originally from Donegal, Irish artist and poet Maria Noonan McDermott now lives and works from her studio in Kinlough, Co. Leitrim.


Heavily influenced by the impressionist movement, her work focuses on the study of light and form in Irish landscapes.

With a love of folklore and story-telling, Noonan McDermott's influences lie in rural Ireland, it is in these magical places that share a colloquial history where stories and the people are often ingrained into the landscape.


I began my artistic career in Dublin in 1985 and qualified in Fashion and Design. I returned to college and completed a certificate in visual education before continuing on to study Fine Art. In the year 1990, I had my first solo exhibition of paintings. The feedback and encouragement I received helped direct me on my current path.


My work has always been influenced by a deep connection with the natural environment, the beautiful rugged Irish landscape with its endlessly changing skies and dramatic seas. I am equally fascinated by the people that the land holds so tightly and am firmly bound in kinship with their poetic writing, their stories and soulful lyrics.


I've always been in awe of the storyteller, those gifted people who so fluidly guide you into their fantasy worlds, who submerge you so deeply, you cry, laugh and often seethe with anger and frustration. To me, this is true magic, possessing the rare skill of creating something from nothing, evoking such passion and emotion.


Growing up I found words didn't come so easily to me, art and writing became my outlet. I was transformed into the 'Cailleach Feasa', the storyteller. I recorded and recollected all the tales from times gone by, breathing life back into places and quirky characters I met along the way.


I was raised in a small village in Donegal and like most small communities in Ireland, it was filled with the most amazing characters.


As a child, my head was filled with fantastical stories told and dramatised by neighbours and family, the gatekeepers of local history. These tales, were, of course, exaggerated and embellished with such fun and gusto, like only true Irish seanchai can, that I couldn't help growing up with a great love of the people around me and all their fascinating antics.


In my work, I narrate the stories with colour and humour as over the years they've formed and shaped in my memory.
My paintings become the text and you the reader and as the reader, you are challenged to participate and choose your own journey. Thus, enabling the story to live all over again!


This attachment is ingrained in my work and I strive to bring forth its warmth in the most honest and pure way I know how.

https://www.marianoonan-mcdermott.com
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New work available from Lahinch Art Gallery