Stained glass artists ashbourne show

‘Phaenomena’, an exhibition by Gabrielle Bishop, opens in the Toradh Gallery, Ashbourne Library & Cultural Centre, Ashbourne, at 7pm this evening (Tuesday 24th March).

Gabrielle Bishop graduated in History at the University of Sussex and completed her training in Stained Glass in London and Barcelona. She has worked in museums and stained glass studios in England and Spain. Now living in Westport, Gabrielle, since graduating with distinction in Fine Art from the GMIT 2013, has exhibited at the Linenhall, the Hyde Bridge Gallery, the Stronach Gallery, and the Claremorris Open 2014. She was awarded the Linenhall Medal and her work is in both public and private collections. Her paintings reflect her background in history and stained glass with time, materials and environment being key to her work, along with themes of colour, light and transformation. This is her first solo exhibition.

With reference to the ancients, the exhibition takes its name from Aratus’ poem describing constellations and weather lore, and connects with the megalithic builders of the Boyne Valley and beyond whose practice was to observe and register the solar and stellar movements of the celestial sphere.

Commenting on the exhibition Gabrielle Bishop says:“Like the light box feature of the monuments the paintings are frames for observation and contemplation of phenomena. They markthe turning of the year from the Winter solstice to the Spring equinox, reflecting weather and changing light rays.”

Phaenomena runs until April 14th 2015.