Biography

Artist’s Statement .

The prevailing influence in Joan’s work is Nature in all of its manifestations.

The elemental aspects of growth, demise, regeneration and transformation

is a process revealed to us within the ever changing forces and faces of nature.

Weather, winds, tides, seasons and the impact they have on matters ever renewing

as if we only see a new aspect of shell, seaweed, tree or shrub as seasons, as elements

and light play on them, reveal a new aspect of them, to reflect their unique glory.

The idea of parameters or boundaries is another inherent area of investigation where

the void or space between observed phenomena is invested with energy,

experienced kinaesthetically but how to represent this phenomenon visually ?

So the idea of embossed paper combined with imagery became part of my practice.

Nature uses another ’ secret ‘of layering protective sheaths over delicate organisms

until they are strong enough to emerge and explore the environment themselves.

This can provide the printmaker with another valuable tool or device for the gradual

uncovering of an image, giving it a sense of mystery, an unfolding quality.

Educated in the West of Ireland, she studied in the National College of Art and Design

1968-1976 and Bachelor of Arts degree in University College Dublin 1970-1973.

She joined the Black Church Print Studio in 1993. She specialises in etching on copper

and aluminium. A variety of techniques are explored including carborundum, photo

etching, chine colle and paper embossment . These are combined to convey a sense of

unfolding possibilities within an image.

Working in the Black ChurchPrint Studio from 1993 she has exhibited widely nationally and

internationally :

Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, Taispeantas Elaine An Oireachtas, Impressions 2 Galway Arts Festival, COE 97 Claremorris Open, Iontas Sligo, Mini Print International Barcelona, First Biennial International juried Print Exhibition Somers, New York, International Biennial Print Exhibition, Taiwan, China ,International Mini Print Exhibition , RHA, Ely Place, Dublin, Footprint International Print Exhibition 2008, Centre for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, USA. Royal Ulster Academy, 2008, International Contemporary Print Competition, Cornwall, UK, 2010. Footprints International, 2nd Biennial, 2010, Galway Mini Print, 2011, A4 Printmakers, Cornwall 2012, Wexford Arts Centre Annual Exhibition, 2012, Sol Art, Dawson St. 2012, Seacourt Mini Print, Bangor, Co Down 2014, Viking Exhibition, Clontarf, 2014, Footprints, 2014, Newark, USA, Watercolour Society of Ireland, 2013 -2020 Annual Watercolour Exhibition, Russell Gallery, Clare, Bryan S Nolan Group Exhibition, Annual Group Exhibition GAA Clontarf, VUE Exhibition at the RHA, Greenacres Group Exhibition, Wexford, Miniprint International at Kazanlak, Bulgaria, Mini Print International of Cadaques, Spain, Red Dot Art Mini Print, Dublin Painting and Sketching Club.

Black Church Studio Exhibitions include :

Guinness Hop Store, Solomon Gallery, Ashford Gallery, Ely Place, United Arts Club, Original Print Gallery, Riverrun Gallery, Limerick, Chris Doswell Gallery, Limerick, Tallagh Civic Centre, Ballinahinch Castle, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny, Wexford Arts Club, Tinahealy Court House, The Salon Show, OPW, Milestones, OPW, St Stephen’s Green, BOXid Round 11, Original Print Gallery, Curiosity Cabinet Black Church Print Studio 2010, Draw the Line, Monster Truck Gallery, Half Tone, The Library Project and VUE at the RHA.

OtherGroup Shows include :

Bank of Ireland College Green, Waterfront Gallery Sligo, John Adam’s Showrooms St Stephen’s Green, Club na Muintoiri Parnell Square, Dublin, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Beaumont Hospital Foundation, Dalkey Arts Gallery Exhibition, Bridge Gallery, Microsoft Exhibition, Sandyford, Dublin, Boundless Print Festival, Easthorp Gallery Yorkshire, Margins Exhibition OPW, St Stephen’s Green, Dalkey Castle Heritage Centre, National Print Museum, Beggars Bush, University of Limerick Watercolour Society of Ireland summer exhibition 2010, Annual Watercolour Exhibitions, Dun Laoghaire County Hall, Farmleigh Gallery in the Phoenix Park, Mini Print International, Cadaques, Taller Galeria Fort, Fundacio Tharrats d’Art Grafic, Barcelona, Galerie L’Etang d’Art, Bages, France, Wingfield Eye, Suffolk, UK.

Solo Exhibitions include :

Cintra Studio Exhibition, Kinsealy, Lambay House Gallery, Howth, National Concert Hall Terrace Exhibition, Limerick County Golf Club, GPA House Limerick, Red Stables Arts Centre, National Print Museum, Haddington Rd, Two person show, Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre and Sol Art Gallery.

Collections include :

AIB Bank Collection, Finance Offices OPW, Computer Centre Phoenix House, Garnish House OPW, Gresham Hotel Group, Jury’s Hotel Group, INTO Head quarters Parnell Square, Nova Scotia Bank, Mater Private Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital, Muckross House.