F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio hosts Janet Mullarney’s Solo Exhibition

Short-listed for the Hennessy Portrait Prize in 2015, Janet Mullarney has had her work showcased within the National Gallery in Dublin and has had several exhibitions in many of Ireland’s best galleries.

Dividing her time between Ireland and Italy, Janet has made an outstanding contribution to the Irish scene and has won many awards, including the RUA Perpetual Silver Medal Prize (2009), the RHA Sculpture Award (2008), and The Pollock Krasner Award (1998), and her work is represented in both private and public collections in Ireland including The Arts Council, The Irish Museum of Modern Art, The Office of Public Works, and Limerick City Gallery of Art.

Janet has also exhibited extensively in Europe, and across the world, including Museo de Arte Contemporanea, Oxaca, Mexico, and Shanghai Art Museum and has many important bworks in public spaces including Groningen, Holland, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast and Cherry Orchard Primary School Dublin.

Her My Minds i exhibition finally arrived at the F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio in Banbridge on Saturday 10th December and it stays until January 21st, providing locals and visitors alike with a unique opportunity to enjoy and experience her work in one of Northern Ireland’s best cultural settings.

My Minds i is a striking visualisation of the artist’s sub-conscious mind where a collection of strange and fascinating sculptures stand alone on large open spaces juxtaposed with backdrops and a heightened lighting scheme designed by established set and lighting design expert Marcus Costello.

The first large-scale exhibition of the influential Irish artist in five years, My Minds i is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and has already been at the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny and Wexford Arts Centre. Its arrival in Banbridge is a first for Northern Ireland.

Although her work is regularly included in the Royal Ulster Academy and in exhibitions at the Fenderesky Gallery, Belfast, it is almost 25 since her last solo exhibition was shown in Northern Ireland.

The collection of sculpture, installation and works on paper are all recent creations or new commissions made for the exhibition.

Speaking about her work, Janet Mullarney said:

‘I am delighted to return to Northern Ireland to display my work in the beautiful surroundings of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio, which provides the perfect context for this substantive exhibition. I hope everyone will enjoy it and that they find it deeply imaginative.’

Dr Riann Coulter, curator of the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio, added:

“Janet’s work has been seen in galleries and museums around the world and it is a great honour to showcase this outstanding exhibition in Banbridge. I am confident that this amazing collection of work will delight and intrigue audiences.”

Visit www.janetmullarney.com for more information on the artist’s work.