Cobalt, Pink and Gold Matter, 2018, acrylic, 24ct gold, stitch on canvas
Glow, 2018, Acrylic and stitch on linen
Sixteen Years, 2017, Acrylic and stitch on linen and canvas
Surge, 2018, Acrylic and stitch on linen
Surge, detail, 2018
Sub 2017, Stitch, feathers, canvas
Coupling 1, Headline, 2017, Stitch and graphite on mesh and paper
The Obliterate, 2017, Stitch and acrylic on canvas
Colloquim, 2017, Studio work in progress
The Page Receives the Words
Stitching on canvas, with mixed media acrylic elements, w80cmxL45cm
Rolling Drawing 1
Stitch, canvas, silver antique napkin ring, slice of mirror for viewing, 6x5cm
Rolling Drawing 2
Stitch, canvas, silver antique napkin ring, slice of mirror for viewing, 6x5cm
Coming
Reverse hand stitch on chiffon, pen and oil on papers, 800x700mm
Photographer, Bernie Leahy
Coming
Reverse hand stitch on chiffon, pen and oil on papers, 800x700mm
Photographer, Bernie Leahy
The Hope Artefact 2
Photographer, Bernie Leahy
The Hope Artefacts
Photographer, Bernie Leahy
Rise
Photographer, Bernie Leahy
Empower
Photographer, Bernie Leahy
Bernie Leahy
Bernie Leahy works from her studio in North County Dublin, making wall mounted drawings and sculpture with stitch. Portraits are made with stitch and acrylic on canvas and linen. Small sculptures use stitched elements with contrasting materials including bronze, plaster, gold and uncut diamonds.
The human anatomy is central to her work, often presented in fragments and in layers. Drawing directly from life models, she compiles and composes these drawn studies creating delicate and textural compositions, which explore themes of connectivity and protection.
Leahy has exhibited extensively internationally, including her solo exhibition at the Irish Arts Center, New York (supported by the DCCOI External Exhibition Award), Venezuela, Chicago, Philadelphia, UK, and has presented at Parsons College New York, Fiberart MA Symposium as part of New York Textile Month, 2018, for Li Edelkoort. She graduated from from NCAD and IADT, and is currently pursuing an MA in DLIADT, in Art, Research & Collaboration, with a view to progressing to PhD in materials exploration.
Collections
Mason, Hayes & Curran
Department of Education & Science
Fingal County Council
Kildare County Council
Quaker Museum, Kildare
Waterford Institute of Education
Waterford Hospital
Muckamore Abbey Hospital, Co Antrim, N&W Belfast HSS & N I Arts Council
Selected Awards
2018 External Exhibitions Award, Design & Crafts Council of Ireland // 2007 High Profile Award, Standard Setter, Irish Arts Review Magazine // 2008 Design & Crafts Council of Ireland Merit Award Bursary // 2004 William Smith O’Brien Award
Selected Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions // 2018 Why are we, Irish Arts Center, New York, USA // 2017 Elements, Market Arts Centre, Armagh // 2011-2010 The Narrative Line, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn; National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny // 2007 Protection & Passion, Talbot Gallery, Dublin // 2004 Line, Fabrications Gallery, London, UK, The Girls, Tad Concept Gallery, Rome
Group Exhibitions and Fairs // 2011 PORTFOLIO, RHA Gallery, Dublin; National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny; Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin; Crafted Creatures, The Ark, Temple Bar, Dublin // 2010 PORTFOLIO, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny; Kenny Gallery, Galway; Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin; International Fiberart Biennial, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, USA; SOFA New York, USA // 2008 SOFA Chicago, USA; You’ll Never Walk Alone, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny; Bluecoat Gallery, Liverpool // 2007 Sculpture in Context, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin
Gallery Representation
Contact Details:
Bernie Leahy
Station Road
Lusk
Co. Dublin
T. +353 (0)87 945 9105
E. bernieleahy123@gmail.com
www.bernieleahy.ie