A renowned Irish artist with a career spanning over four decades, Margaret Egan is marking the landmark occasion with a new book offering an intimate exploration of her creative journey, inspirations and artistic evolution. Originally from Wexford, Margaret now lives and works in her studio in Monkstown where she exhibits her work in both oils and watercolours to much critical acclaim.
The last thing I did and loved was… having a day out with my grandchildren.
The book I keep coming back to… New and Selected Poem by Mary Oliver, I just love her work.
I find inspiration in… all things; the mystery of life with all its ups and downs, violence, kindness, sound, music and then in seascapes and landscapes, which also hold all the sounds and feelings of life.
My favourite film is… Perfect Days, it’s a Japanese movie. The central character, Hirayama, cleans public toilets but he cherishes music on cassette tapes, reads books and takes photos, and always reflects on finding beauty in the world. There is a lot to learn from it, it’s a fab movie!
My career highlight is… gosh, there are so many! The first one was doing the portrait of Garry Hynes, sitting in on rehearsals of the play she was directing at the time, and doing sketches of her. That was in 1992. Then my exhibition in New York in 1994. It was my first time in NY and it was so different and exciting. My first show in the Ashford Gallery in the RHA in 2002 was another one. I felt so privileged to be there. My talk in the V&A in London was very exciting, as was my commission to do a large musical piece for the Concert Hall back in 2017.
The song I listen to get me in the zone is… anything by Leonard Cohen.
The last book I recommend... The Poetry of Emily Dickinson, virtually unknown in her lifetime, but what a wonderful poet she is.
I never leave the house… without my phone, sadly.
The piece of work I think about a lot is… the book Anam Cara, Spiritual Wisdom from The Celtic World by John O’Donohue. It’s quite a wonderful philosophical piece of work and one that you never forget.
The best advice I ever got… ‘always be yourself.’
The art show that means the most to me… there are so many art shows that have impressed me, but one stands out, which I saw last September when I was in Australia. It was called Tradition Today, Indigenous Art in Australia, in the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Just amazing work from artists telling their story.
My favourite piece I have ever done is… honestly, that is impossible to answer, because I remember so many pieces that have the emotion and feeling that I was feeling and seeing at that time, so when I look at them again that feeling becomes even stronger.
The most challenging thing about being an artist is… getting how you feel about your subject down on canvas and conveying the message you want to send.
If I wasn’t an artist, I would be… a writer.
The magic of art is… it can open so many doors, you can get your own story from looking at a painting. In a way it is a bit like a poem, you don’t have to give the full story, but the viewer can imagine what it’s saying to them and I think that’s magic because everyone has a slightly different view.
Celebrating 40 years in painting and sculpture, renowned Irish artist Margaret Egan reflects on her creative journey in her book, Natural Harmony. Blending realism with abstraction, her work captures the spirit of Ireland’s landscapes and cultural heritage. With insights from leading art experts, this beautifully curated monograph is a perfect gift for art lovers. Natural Harmony, €20, is available at gandoneditions.com.
Photography courtesy of Margaret Egan.
