Solo exhibition for Leanne
&
ART lovers get the chance to see new work by local artist Leanne Mullen who is garnering a reputation as an exciting portrait painter when her solo exhibition ‘Drawing Breath’ opens on Friday in The Basement Gallery at An Tain Arts Centre,
Leanne, who studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and later did a Masters in sculpture from the University of Ulster, was short listed for the 2016 Hennessy Portrait Prize and was a semi-finalist in the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year.
Having worked in sculpture for all of her career, she turned to painting about seven years ago, bringing her love of drawing and expertise of three dimensional work to her portraiture.
She decided to enter her work ‘Someone’s Mother’ into the 2016 Hennessy Portrait Prize after showing it in a group exhibition in the Basement Gallery. The striking self portrait was highly commended in this prestigious competition and exhibited in the National Gallery of Ireland.
It was another self portrait which led to her being selected to take part in the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2018 competition after her son persuaded her to enter.
She qualified for one of the semi finals with her portrait of model Daphne Selfe which made a big impression with the judges. Daphne also selected it as her favourite portrait from the heat. Time was not on her side in the semi final and she didn’t get a place in the final.
Many of her works are held in public and private collection, including Dublin Airport and Louth County Council.
For this exhibition, her first solo show in Dundalk, Leanne explores our relationship with plastic through the clothes we wear and the food we eat.
She has created a series of arresting portraits using different media including drawing, paint and clay.
Alongside her own artistic practice, Leanne also teaches at St Vincent;s Secondary School and is grateful to principal Deirdre Matthews for her support.
Coinciding with the exhibition, Leanne will be leading a workshop on drawing, suitable for 16 years plus, in the Basement Gallery on Saturday November 17 from 10am to 12noon. She is also hosting an open drawing session for adults on Wednesday November 21 from 2pm to 3.30pm. To book a place, contact 9332332 or www. antain.ie
‘Drawing Breath’ will run until December 22, open daily Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission free.