December Open Days
A big 'thank you' to all the visitors to the studio these last couple of weekends. It was great to see you all, and a special thanks to those who bought some of the work. The studio can still be visited by appointment: just drop Marie-Louise a line in the contacts area here.
This December I will be opening my studio to the public; it is only the second year I will have done this. Last year, even with the studio snowed in, people braved the elements to see: how a print was made; browse through my latest drawings, dry points and etchings; and enjoyed a glass of mulled wine with a mince pie. It was also a great opportunity to meet people who have shown interest in my work over the years.
My latest work has it’s starting point in the Tuscan landscape, where I spend a number of months each year following the changing seasons. I start by making drawings, which I later develop into etchings and drypoint prints. I do this in my studio in Dublin. The printing process has changed little since its invention in the 16th century: some of the visitors last year were unaware of this, and were bowled over to see a centuries-old technique still in use today
It was so successful, I have decided to extend the open days this year over two weekends, 3rd & 4th and 10th &11th December. Opening from 11 until 5pm daily. All the work is for sale, and may be bought framed or unframed: at studio rather than gallery prices. There are prints and drawings to suit all pockets. Gift wrapping is free, and unframed work can be also be shipped anywhere in the world – free.
Radicondoli Exhibition reviewed
The Radicndoli show entitled "Incontri" went ahead with the bonus of a two week extension to fill in a space in the calendar for a visiting artist who wasn't ready in time. The show's opening coincided with the annual feast of St John (Festa di San Giovanni) and below there is a short video to view that was made by Marie-Louise's husband, Marcus. These are a selection of some of the shots taken at the opening and during the run of the show.
Image Interiors
In May, just after receiving the news from Radicondoli that the exhibition space was available and that the show with Hazel Trivelli was now going ahead, Marie-Louise made contact with Image Interiors and Living magazine (among others). The reason for that contact was to ask for the show to be included in the listings of events - nothing unusual about that. Unfortunately, the issue of the magazine that would have covered the dates had already gone to press, and so, there was no way to list the show. What followed was an e-mail conversation with the editor that went something along the lines of this:
II&L: Sorry we couldn't list your event. Do you have a place in Italy?
MLM: Yes. We have a small apartment in a village called Radicondoli.
II&L: Oh! Are you going to be there in July by any chance?
MLM: Yes. We're going to be there for the show - almost two months. Why?
II&L: Well, we are doing a shoot in Florence and perhaps we can come to see you.
MLM: That'd be great!
II&L: Have you any photo's of the apartment we could see?
MLM: I'll send you some.
II&L: That looks perfect! We'll come and do a photo shoot with you too!
MLM: <STUNNED SILENCE> ...OK
Radicondoli Exhibition
It has finally happened!
The Pro Loco and the Comune of Radicondoli have banged their heads together and have (finally, after a great deal of to-ing and fro-ing) allowed Marie-Louise and her good friend Hazel Trivelli to put on a show in the Palazzo Bizzarrini. This is a big step for Marie-Louise, as it will be her first joint-show in Italy and getting it to fly has not been a process without stress: just as well she has a capable AM/PA. The show opens on 18th June and runs for five weeks. The show is doubly important, as there is another celebration happening in the town. As a European initiative, two streets (rather than whole towns) have been twinned. Via Tiberio Gazzei is now the twin of Klauprecthstrasse in Karlsruhe, Germany. More about this here and here. The theme of meetings, both of hearts and minds as well as cultural and economic links, is the underlying drive for this twinning; to augment the theme, the exhibition in the sala di mostra is entitled "Incontri", with emphasis placed on the serendipity of Marie-Louise and Hazel's meeting – and becoming friends – in a town far from their own homes. Marie-Louise is from Dublin; Hazel, Canterbury.
The lead up to and the opening night along with other incidentals along the way will be publihed as a series of informal AudioBoo's (more here). Marie-Louise would be delighted if you subscribed to her profile and made regular visits to the Boo!
Contemporary Irish Art Society
The Contemporary Irish Art Society today make a visit to the RDS in Ballsbridge. And since they are in the area, they will also make a visit to Marie-Louise's studio. Watch this space for photos and perhaps video of the group descending on Merrion Road.
Later this month, CIAS will make a presentation of Memento - a print they purchased last year - to the good people of Roscrea. This will be an occasion, and Marie-Louise will be the guest of honour then. More of that when we have details...
CIAS Presentation of "Memento"
On 27th March 2011, the Contemporary Irish Arts Society made a presentation to Roscrea College of their purchase: "Memento"
The gift of this piece to such a prestigious college of secondary education is a high honour, and one in which Marie-Louise will take great heart. She was the guest of honour on the day and the print was placed in prominent position in the offices of the board and principal. The newsletter for CIAS can be seen here.
Studio Open Days
In December this year, Marie-Loiuse will host an open day event - in fact it should be open days – plural. On the 4th and the 5th of December, you and your friends will be able to drop in to the studio and see printmaking happening live. There will be demonstrations, a tour of the studio, and of course, an opportunity to get some Christmas shopping out of the way too. Mince pies, glass of something mulled and a warm welcome might tempt you.
This event turned out to be a great success - everyone in Ireland will no doubt remember the bad weather during that time; Marie-Louise's studio was almost ice-bound, but her doubty husband kept the paths clear and lots of visitors came on Sunday afternoon. All were treated to the aforementioned mulled wine and pies and everyone seemed to enjoy the print demonstration particularly. Watching the faces of the visitors to see the big 'reveal' of the final proofs of a particular print being pulled was like watching children seeing a magic show for the first time. There are already plans for next year to expand on the open days idea and have a tour of other studios in the area on a guided way... More on this when we have details.
Seasons
Continuing Marie-Louise's theme of notebook drawings, she has begun to place them in large statement pieces designed to be hung together. Here are two of the four seasons that in total are 2.5m in length and 1.2m in height. They were hung as a foursome in her recent MAKING SPACE exhibition in Temple Bar, wowing all the visitors to the exhibition as they entered the gallery space. Next year it is planned that they will be shown in Radicondoli, the town and countryside that inspired them.
United Arts Club
National Day of Action
- Join the arts workers group where you are registered to vote
- As part of this group, write to your TDs requesting a meeting on Friday 17 September
- Take part in the meetings and events on the day
MAKING SPACE: A Retrospective
MAKING SPACE
Official launch of this website and a retrospective show
Haiti Relief Auction
Royal Hibernian Academy Invitation
Marie-Louise has been honoured by the Council of the Royal Hibernian Academy this year. She has again been invited to show a piece in the Annual Exhibition (details of the show are here). The more usual method of entry into the show is through open submission and selection; however, this year, as an invitee, she can submit a piece that has a space on the gallery’s wall guaranteed. Every year the RHA receives thousands of entries through the open submission process for the show, and there are typically only 200 or so spaces available. She was delighted to have had another piece accepted via the open submission. Both can be seen in the Ashford Gallery within the Gallagher Gallery in Ely place. The show runs until 31st July.
The Hermione Show at Alexandra College
Invitiation from Boyle Arts Festival 2010
Marie-Louise has been invited to exhibit a piece in the summer festival held in Boyle, Roscommon. Held annually in July, the festival has been an important part of the contemporary Irish art calendar for many years. This year is a special event, as only artists who are represented in the Civic Collection are invited to show new work.
Black Church OPW
Marie-Louise and many colleague members of the black Church Print Studio were invited to show work, old and new, in the OPW buildings on St. Stephen's Green. The catalogue can be downloaded here.