Meditations in Time of Civil War Exhibition in the Hamilton Gallery, Sligo.

Written By Maria Noonan-McDermott

So happy to be included as one of the invited artists for this exciting exhibition, Meditations in Time of Civil War, in the Hamilton Gallery, Sligo.

Virtual Opening by Susan O'Keeffe, Director, Yeats Society Sligo

Yeats Day | Sunday June 13th

‘Meditations in Time of Civil War’ is the 2021 Annual Invited Artists exhibition of small works curated by Hamilton Gallery, Sligo. 125 invited artists are taking part this year, all of whom have created a new painting inspired by, or drawing upon this major poem by W B Yeats.

This series of exhibitions began in 2015 as part of Yeats 2015, a national and international celebration of the 150th anniversary of the poets birth. Each year since then, against the backdrop of Ireland's Decade of Commemoration, Hamilton Gallery has invited artists from all over Ireland to contribute a small work, using one of Yeats' significant poems as the thematic backdrop, seeking to contrast and look anew on the themes and ideals raised in those poems 100 years ago with contemporary society.

In her introduction to this exhibition Susan O'Keeffe, Director, Yeats Society Sligo, who pioneered Yeats 2015 and Yeats Day outlines how, 'each work draws out and distills something precious; a fragment, a flash of colour, a new longing, a silence or a vague memory. And together, their collective work is a gift to us the viewers, of new ways of seeking old truths, a new set of marks; hieroglyphs from this age, bearing witness to the marks that went before, all integral to the story of our being.'

This exhibition takes place in association with Yeats Day and Tread Softly Festivals.

Catalogues are available to purchase €6 from the gallery or €11 online including postage.

Gallery opening hours Mon to Sat 10am – 5pm. https://hamiltongallery.ie

'Meditations in Time of Civil War' Exhibition, Hamilton Gallery, June 2021.jpg
'An talamh mo bhaile'- Meditations Exhibition Catalogue, June 2021 .jpg
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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