SAMHLAIOCHT GALLERY JOINT EXHIBITION - JUDY COSTELLO & EILEEN KAVANAGH

Samhlaiocht is delighted to announce the opening of a new exhibition on Thursday 6th September at 6.00pm in its New Gallery, located in the Old Presbytery, Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee. The exhibition is an eponymous collection of new works by artists Judy Costello and Eileen Kavanagh and will be opened by Ms Kate Kennelly, Kerry County Council Arts Officer.

"These are the works of committed, talented and enthusiastic women," says Samhlaiocht's Visual Arts Coordinator, Trish Thompson, "it's fantastic the way they produce such original and vibrant work and we are happy that they are exhibiting with us here."

Eileen, or Eily as she is also known, is from the Dingle peninsula. She is a self taught artist reared on a farm that was sandwiched between the Connor Pass and Lios Dorgan, a mountain named after her mother's immediate ancestors.

The middle of five children, Eileen Kavanagh is a ciotog (left-handed, sometimes considered bad luck!). According to Eileen she didn't play up or play down much but instead formed an early bond with matters of the sky and sea.

She also paints scenes of rural dwellings.

"Eileen's Town Views," says Trish, "have an air of tranquillity and simplicity about them. You meet the occasional person here and there. There is an earthy tone despite the concrete, yet we sense an intense feeling of atmosphere."

Limerick born artist Judy Costello discovered "the artist within" since her move to the beautiful mountain landscape of Tonevane, near Blennerville.

"My subject matter varies from the ordinary to the extraordinary," says Judy, "and to me the common place is equally as inspiring as the exotic. I am inspired by the sea and the natural world. I am also influenced by the delicacy of the materials that I use, so that my work is primarily an exploration and celebration of colour."

This joint exhibition will be formally launched by Kerry County Council's Arts Officer Ms Kate Kennelly. All are welcome.