Art exhibit coming to South William Street

A captivating joint exhibition by artists Rachel Burke and Niamh Moran is set to grace the walls of the Knight of Glin Exhibition room at City Assembly House in Dublin, home of the Irish Georgian Society.

Titled “Daydream”, the exhibition promises to immerse visitors in a world where nostalgia, personal narratives, and the interplay between dreams and reality unfold through the artists’ unique perspectives.

Burke and Moran, both seasoned art educators and storytellers, have curated an incredibly vibrant, predominantly drawing-based collection that utilises a blend of acrylic inks, paint, coloured pencil, and mixed media.

Anne Hodge, Curator of Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Ireland, will officiate the opening of the exhibition, further cementing its significance within the Dublin art scene.

Niamh Moran, a visual artist and illustrator based in Naas, Co. Kildare, brings her enchanting exploration of dreams and reality to the forefront of the exhibition. Blurring the boundaries between the two, Moran’s ships, boats, lighthouses and homes gracefully navigate through their environments, creating narratives that evoke a sense of magic from the mundane.

Her recent work, including illustrations for a children’s book exploring sensory processing, draws inspiration from her personal journey as a mother whose son has autism, adding depth and resonance to her artistic expression.

Speaking about her artistic journey, Moran shared, “I strive to create something magical from the mundane, blurring the boundaries between dreams and reality. For this body of work inks and coloured pencil have been my medium of choice, offering rich line and layering that brings my narratives to life.”

“As a mother, my perspective on the world has been shaped by my son’s special way of experiencing and interacting with his environment. This experience has found its way into my artwork, influencing the themes and narratives I explore.”

Rachel Burke, a professional visual artist based in County Kilkenny, intricately weaves identity and placement within one’s environment into her work. Her paintings, crafted with acrylic inks on unprimed canvas or wood, evoke a sense of nostalgia through rural landscapes juxtaposed against abstract backgrounds adorned with backwards writings and patterns.

Burke’s work not only reflects on environmental concerns but also explores humanity’s relationship with the natural world, inviting viewers to deepen their connection with ‘self.’

Reflecting on her involvement in the upcoming exhibition, Burke stated, “I am thrilled to be part of this joint exhibition with Niamh Moran. Our shared exploration of nostalgia and personal narratives creates a dynamic dialogue within the space. I am excited for viewers to immerse themselves in the stories we’ve crafted through our artwork.”

The exhibition will open on Thursday, June 13th 2024, from 6 pm to 8 pm at City Assembly House, 58 William St South, Dublin 2, D02 X751, and will run until Monday, June 17th.