13 IMAGE staffers on the Irish artists they can’t get enough of
From muralists and illustrators to fine art painters, photographers, and sculptors, the artistic tastes and preferences of team IMAGE span many different mediums. Here, we lay out some of our favourite Irish artists that should definitely be on your radar.
Lauren Heskin, Editor, IMAGE magazine
I really love Siobhan McNutt, she’s a Galway-based artist and she does lots of familiar landscapes but from unusual angles. Blackrock but from a swimmers perspective, or hovering above the iconic towers. I’ve bought a few prints for friends who live abroad as a way to remind them of home, not the bit of home that every tourist recognises but the one only a real local will recognise. IYKYK, ya know!
I got a gorgeous wedding present by Westport artist Sheelyn Brown that I just adore. She works mostly with wood and lino cut, capturing gorgeous flora and fauna that surround her studio on the grounds of the beautiful Westport House. She plays with bright colours and scale in an interesting way, and she offers a lot of variety in her pricing, from original works to giclée prints and greeting cards.
Marlene Wessels, Art Director
I have admired the charcoal drawings of artist Michael Wann from the very first time I stumbled across it on Instagram. I love the way he depicts typical Irish landscapes and country roads, putting the viewer right in the middle of the scene, using only charcoal – I am always amazed how he captures so much detail using charcoal. I am hoping to soon follow one of his online workshops, Drawing and Seeing in Charcoal with Michael Wann through Artform.
I fell in love with the intricate art of Dutch artist Anita Groener, since the first time I was lucky enough to visit her studio. Her art are structures made from twigs, but when you have a closer look, you notice tiny little people that are placed within the sculptures. Her most recent installation ‘To the Edge of Your World’ has just finished in Museum Rijswijk. She painstakingly transforms discarded materials such as twigs, twine, and cardboard into delicate sculptural pieces that tell a much deeper story.
Shayna Sappington, Branded Content Editor
I originally knew Geraldine Carton from her work as a freelance writer and her passion for sustainable fashion (she is co-founder of The Useless Project). And I was pleasantly surprised when she started sharing her work as a contemporary artist on social media. Now, I’m glued to her Instagram page, always waiting for her latest reveal on her Instagram. She has a unique and vibrant way of capturing Dublin scenes and real people in bold, unapologetic moments. Her latest project is ‘We See You’ – where she asked a group of women to pose nude, capturing “women as they are: comfortable, strong, unapologetic, exposed.” A brilliant, bold, feminist piece!
Sarah Gill, Staff Writer
I regularly find myself fawning over Galway-based artist Cadhla Forde’s work. Her abstract pieces have an ethereal quality that leaves you transfixed, invoking the palates and hues of nature rebelling against human destruction. I bought a print at her recent Studio 8 exhibition, and I cannot wait to invest in a larger scale original soon.
Another Galway-based artist that’s been making waves in the Irish photography scene is Enda Burke. I still get great enjoyment out of his award-winning ‘Homebound With My Parents’ series, and each time his work pops up on my Instagram timeline is a joy. The choice of colours and props, the composition, it’s all just perfection.
Similarly, any time the work of Stephen Heffernan (otherwise known as hephee) pops up online, I’m smiling. They’re simple, tongue-in-cheek illustrations that manage to capture the zeitgeist of the moment, and boil it down in the vernacular. Plus, his work is heavily pint-scentric, which speaks to my spirit.
Sophie Power, Marketing & Memberships Director
I absolutely adore everything Domino Whisker does. I first came across her a few years ago and immediately commissioned her to make a bespoke piece for my parents as a thank you gift. I was blown away by the craftsmanship behind the embroidered piece she made us of blackbirds to represent each member of our growing family. Her pieces are so original and beautiful. One day I will also have one adorning my walls!
Dominique McMullan, Editorial Director
I love covering my home in art, and have been proudly amassing a small collection over the years. Geraldine Carton is an IMAGE alumni and a seriously talented artist. Her dynamic and vivacious work is so full of fun and life and captures Dublin at its best. She was kind enough to send me a print of her ‘Disco Balls’ piece which is waiting to be hung in my office, but it’s really her female body portraiture that sets her apart. I have long admired her ‘Yoga Lady’ and her recent project on ‘Boobs’, where she painted women’s naked breasts in all their wonderful shapes, colours and sizes, was inspired and just beautiful.
I love artist Maser‘s work — the bold colours, pattern overlays, gestural forms and positive messages are pure joy. I have a print of one of his large-scale murals which lives just off Camden Street, and reads ‘Don’t Be Afraid’. It’s a lovely message to read every morning. As part of FlowState (an integrated lifestyle brand he founded with John Belton and Adrienne Murphy) you can also own a piece of his art in yoga mat form, or as a water bottle, which have just been released. It’s such a lovely way to seamlessly blend art into your daily life (while simultaneously getting you to drink more water)… a win win!
Hannah Stapleton, Marketing Intern
The walls of my bedroom and bare, and in need of some creativity. What better than adding a collection of some beautiful Irish prints? I love this ‘Gaeilge Abú’ print by Éimear Alice. The mixture of Gaeilge and colour is the perfect piece for my collection!
I spend my summers in Co. Waterford, and stumbled upon this Dotterson print in Isabel’s Place in Dungarvan, and have been unable to stop thinking about it since!
Lastly, an ode to my love of New York… this JANDO Chrysler Building print. I love everything JANDO does, and this print, part of their New York collection is no different. Maybe if I look at it closely enough, I’ll be transported to Manhattan.
Melanie Mullan, IMAGE Contributor
The one thing that I will give Covid is that it introduced me to so many Irish artists through various online sales to support Irish artists. I’ve now got a small collection of pieces that I love that I can’t wait to continue to add to.
I love the work of Petria Lenehan. I find it so calming and captivating – she has a way of working with colours that take you to another place. I bought one of her prints a couple of years ago and every time she has a new release I want to buy more. I love her Lost Postcard series and would love to be able to add one of them to my collection – maybe one day!
I have a gorgeous piece that I bought from Neil Patrick Collins when he did his first exhibition in 2020. The piece is a portrait of a girl, a love heart above her head with the heart raining on top of her. Neil would say that this piece probably wouldn’t be true to his style, but to me, this piece represented learning to love myself and being happy in who I am after a couple of difficult years. It is a great reminder of how far I’ve come and I love that daily reminder on my wall.
Emily O’Neill, Branded Partnerships, Marketing Account Executive
Anything that is colourful or sparkles always catches my eye! If you open my wardrobe you will be greeted with very minimal neutrals but lots of bright colours and prints! This also extends into the rest of the house. There is not a room without a splash of colour found somewhere and they are all in the form of wall art and prints!
In my bedroom I have some gorgeous prints from Flo Illustrate. Each and every print is full of character and colour, which I absolutely adore! I love that they have something to suit every personality and they also do commissions!
At the top of my ‘need not want’ list is a piece from Audrey Hamilton Art. I am currently in the process of transforming my spare room into my beauty/content creation room and I can’t stop thinking about the ‘Queen’ print from the AHA ‘Faces’ collection. I think it will be the perfect finishing touch to the room and the perfect background for all of my videos.
Finally, an artist that features heavily in our home is Eoin O’Connor. It might be a little cliche that a farming household has farm animal homeware in every corner of their kitchen but how could we not? We are huge fans of Eoin O’Connor and he even has a shelf dedicated to his pieces. They are so fun and quirky and always a topic of conversation.
Megan Burns, Editor, IMAGE Interiors
It’s so hard to pick out Irish artists from the countless talented pool we have, but I really love Banbha Mc Cann‘s work for its dream-like quality, as well as her use of colour.
I also love Shane O’Driscoll’s work, I have one of his prints hanging beside my dining table, and its bright colours and bold shapes make the whole room feel more vibrant. I’ve spotted some of his murals around the country, too, which is always a treat.
Bill O’Sullivan, Group Creative Director
I’ve always found buying art to be tricky and sometimes intimidating. And frustrating – I annoy myself with my own indecision. Do I really love it? Will I get bored of it? Is it a bit cliche? Is it pretentious (or just pretentious enough)? Do I see a better one over there…?
I’d love to own some original pieces, but I’ve never been able to afford what I love (or loved what I’ve been able to afford). That said, a well-framed print is almost indistinguishable from ‘the real thing’ and we are lucky to have some great galleries with wide selections from Irish artists. Then the problem becomes picking only one or two – I don’t have very many walls to hang them on!
I’m learning to enjoy just looking – for its own sake – without the pressure to buy, until I feel that inexplicable connection with a piece. Browsing in So Fine Art Editions in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is always a good idea, and I’ve recently come away with a beautiful, mysterious little etching by Dubliner Stephen Lawlor (‘Josei’). The Japanese overtones in a lot of his work really draw me in. Similarly, I find myself revisiting some of fellow Dubliner Jean Bardon‘s Asian-influenced etchings with gold leaf, so it’s only a matter of time.
The closure of Hang Tough Contemporary was a huge loss. I discovered two artists that I really love there. The first print I bought from them was ‘Duine’ by David Booth. I love his deconstructed, slightly disturbing portraits, and never get sick of looking at it. Another Hang Tough discovery was Peter Smyth. I bought his ‘Timavo’ print at their brilliant Páipéar exhibition on Dame Street. I love the colour and drama, and appreciate it even more after seeing the intricacy of his technique. A larger-scale work from him would be on my wish list.
Lizzie Gore-Grimes, Editor-in-Chief
My husband owned and ran the Cross Gallery on Francis Street for almost 20 years, so it’s only fair to say he’s had a huge influence on my interest in Irish art! Some of my favourite artists that he’s introduced me to over the years would include Richard Gorman for his wonderful bold use of colour and tactile shapes, John Boyd for his exquisite draughtsmanship and detailing, Mairead O’hEocha for the way she uses paint, and my current absolute favourite, Lee Welsh. NCAD graduate Lee’s work simply oozes warmth, empathy and “Human-ness” if that’s an acceptable art term. Try and nab a piece of his work now, if you can, before it becomes completely unaffordable.
Another Irish artist whose work I am loving right now is Corrina Earlie. Her most recent Heliotropic series of flower portraits is the ideal tonic for frazzled nerves. Each bloom captured so beautifully, and the clever addition of the tape injecting a contemporary twist. Go and see her and the show in person in Dublin’s Studio 10 on 11th & 12th May, where she will also be hosting a Bloom and Balance workshop, to include two hours of art, mindfulness and yoga, collaborating with her well-known husband Dermot Whelan and yoga instructor Melissa Curtis. Sunday 12th May, 9.30 – 11.30am. Tickets: €40, available through Eventbrite here with all money raised will go to support Glas Community Gardens.
Simone Kennedy, Events Manager
I am a massive fan of Sorrell Reilly prints. She is an illustrator, printmaker, and digital artist inspired by poetry and nature. Sorrell has created prints from some of my favorite hikes around Ireland, including Coumshingaun. I am starting to collect her prints to place around my home to remind myself of those gorgeous adventures!
For fun, I adore Louise Boughton’s Wrapped in Red and Platform Boot, which hang colorfully in the bedroom. As for gifting, Sarah Wickham has created the sweetest nursery collection, which can be personalised. I really love the Floating Elephant with Balloon for any new additions!
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