Leanne’s solo exhibition opens in Basement Gallery

LEANNE Mullen’s solo exhibition ‘Drawing Breath’ in the Basement Gallery at An Táin Arts Centre is an impressive body of work.

The north Louth artist, who was highly commended in the Hennessy National Portrait Prize in 2017 and a semi-finalist in the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2018, is at her peak with this striking collection of portraits.

This outstanding exhibition sees Leanne exploring our relationship with plastic in a series of striking paintings, drawings and sculptures.

‘I wanted to highlight the issue of how we use plastic today, particularly single use plastic and the impact that is having on humans and the environment,’ she explains.

We are, she argues, leaving plastic as a legacy for the next generation and she illustrates this in her beautifully executed portraits of figures, replacing the traditional materials of scarves, collars and jewellery with plastic.

‘Plastic is everywhere, it’s in the air we breath and the food we eat,’ she says. A striking installation of pencil drawings and ceramic fish highlights the impact which plastic is having on our oceans.

Also featured are oil portraits of her parents, whom she describes as her ‘Silent Heroes’ and other family members.

‘Drawing Breath’ runs until December 22.

Cain, Leanne and Doire Mullen at Leanne’s ‘Drawing Breath’ exhibition held in An Táin.

Pauline Morgan and Anne Stacey Coburn at Leanne Mullen’s ‘Drawing Breath’ exhibition held in An Táin.