Mary Conroy Exhibition







The Irish Workhouse Centre is very proud to have recently hosted a selection of paintings by Killeen native Mary Conroy. The works had been created over the past 12 years and represent the first solo exhibition by the Fine Arts graduate. Mary currently resides in Cork but retains strong ties with her family in Portumna. Indeed, she attended Portumna secondary school long before she attended Crawford College of Art and Design (Cork) where she graduated with a BA in Fine Art in 2008, and a H. Dip in Art Design in 2010.



The exhibition vividly showcases Mary's love of nature. Her oil paint depictions of sea splashed rocks show a perfect match of medium and subject. Sparkling light and restless waves brings life to the dark colours of her Irish seascapes. Vibrant watercolours glow with warm, welcoming shades that draw you into their country scenes. Detailed depictions of flowers show a keen botanical eye yet keep a fluid carefree style.


This is not the first time that Mary's work has been on public view. Her work has been shown in Crawford Gallery and The Frame Makers, both in Co. Cork. She has also exhibited at The Plein Air Art Festival in Wexford.



Each artwork is available for purchase directly from the artist and it will come as no surprise to anyone who knows Mary's work that over half the exhibition has already been sold. Indeed, her artworks can be found in public collections such as Cork University Hospital, St. Steven's Hospital and Colaiste Stifan Naofa. Her work also features in numerous private collections. No naming names but some workhouse staff have also been unable to resist a purchase!



The staff here would certainly be happy for Mary to return and lighten the walls of an institution with such a sombre past. When not painting, Mary is a tutor in drawing, textiles, art and ceramics. All we can say from The Irish Workhouse Centre is that her students are lucky to have such a talented teacher.

Author: Elizabeth Carter

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