Malahide still-life artist to feature at Art Source

A Malahide artist who has reimagined still-life from dark, cluttered and old fashioned to bright, vibrant and eye-catching will showcase at Ireland’s top art fair, Art Source, at the RDS.

Over 15,000 people are expected to attend the year’s biggest and most exciting art show from November 11-13, featuring 160 of the best contemporary Irish and international artists and galleries.

The move by Malahide-based Susan Cairns, a former watercolourist, to still life and oils, was a major turning point in her journey as a painter.

“Taking old, broken, unwanted and often forgotten everyday objects, my ambition through painting is to capture character and beauty, transforming the usual into something unique and wonderful,” said Susan, who has exhibited across Ireland and the UK.

Susan Cairns, The Greengage Branch, €1800, will feature at Ireland’s premier art fair – Art Source at the RDS

With many years spent drawing and watercolour painting, her current work in oil has evolved and developed into a style that is very identifiable, clear and detailed.

Exploring light, colour, texture and tone is an essential part of Susan’s painting, and she strives to make the simple things stand out, the not-so-pretty to be beautiful and everyday objects to shine.

“As a child, I adored art. Painting by numbers was a particular favourite of mine, but at the time I did not really think I could be an artist,” said Susan.

“I studied Interior Design in college, but the bit I loved most was the drawing aspect of the course.

“I knew at that stage my heart lay in fine art, so I took art lessons just as a hobby like many people do. From there, I just could not see myself doing anything else.

“I took art lessons in my 20s. My teacher, Mairead Doyle, was fantastic. She allowed me develop and explore, allowing my style of painting to emerge. I learned so much from her in those early days.

“While browsing through her art books, I discovered a still life exhibition brochure for the well-known Irish artist Mark O’Neill. It completely opened my eyes to what still life could be.

“Of course, I had come across the genre of still life before, but my entire perception of it changed that day. The idea of it being dark, cluttered and old fashioned was replaced with it being bright, vibrant and eye-catching.

“To take simple everyday objects, rubbish in some people’s eyes, and turn them into something beautiful, wanted and desired, really appealed to me. From that day on, away went my watercolours, I bought some oil paints and started my still life journey.

“Being mostly self-taught, having not attended art college, I have relished witnessing how my work has developed and matured over the years, purely from practising painting.

“I am still trying to excel in still life, I don’t think I will ever stop learning. I still want to do it to the best of my ability, though I have stopped questioning and worrying about whether I should paint something else or what people will think of it.

“If it is something I love, all I can do is hope that this comes across in my work.”

Susan Cairns, Magnolia, €495

An exhibition of works by Damien Hirst, the English artist who recently burned hundreds of his artworks, will be the centrepiece of Art Source.

The fair will also play host to a unique sculpture garden featuring over 40 top Irish and international artists, including works by renowned sculptors such as Patrick O’Reilly, Salvador Dali, Giacinto Bosco, Ian Pollock, Eamonn Ceannt, Bob Quinn, Anthony Scott and Sandra Bell.

Irish art lovers also have the unique chance to get their hands on 100 pieces of original artwork for €100 each on a first-come, first-served basis on the opening morning of the show – Friday, November 11.

The show will also feature Source Your Own Art, a free children’s pop-up art workshop where youngsters are invited to express themselves creatively in response to the art they see at the fair.

Admission is €10 adults. Children under-16 free, if accompanied by a parent or guardian. For further information, see ArtSource.ie.