Artist launches exhibition partly inspired by Louth's Cooley Peninsula

Following the success of her second solo exhibition I Brought You Flowers this past summer, contemporary Irish artist Anna McKeever has unveiled her new collection of work, Solas, which draws inspiration from a range of mythic Irish landscapes and locales including the Cooley Mountains in Carlingford, County Louth and Newgrange in County Meath. 

This collection of eleven oil-on canvas paintings explores the influence of ancient Celtic beliefs and mythology in the context of the modern Irish landscape. The pieces combine to form a fascinating hybrid of ancient Irish mythology within a modern, vibrant landscape of colour and texture. Anna draws inspiration from pagan beliefs that recognised the profound importance of light through her own signature style.

“Solas is the Irish word for light, brightness and enlightenment. The Celts recognised the sun in particular as a powerful deity representing life, warmth and vitality. It was believed to have a direct impact on the fertility of the land, crops and livestock,” Anna explains.

A Belfast-based artist with a growing reputation across Ireland and internationally, Anna’s work is immediately recognisable. In this collection she seamlessly blends ancient mythological themes with contemporary colour and texture. Celtic symbols are etched into the work itself, and the paint is applied liberally and without abandon.  The result is a fascinating hybrid of ancient and modern. 

Commenting on the creative process which produced Solas Anna says:

“I find it interesting that even in this modern era there is still a connection to ancient myths and legends. This juxtaposition of the ancient and modern weaves its way through the work - creating a storyboard without words.”

“I was influenced by myths I heard in my childhood, legends of the borderlands; the Cooley Mountains, Cúchulainn, and the Táin Bó Cúailng. I visited the ancient site of Newgrange and have always been aware of ‘thin’ places - where the Celts believed a spiritual atmosphere of a location made it easy to connect with God, as though there is no barrier between heaven and earth. The energy of these places resonated more to me than more modern religious doctrine. 

"It was important for me to honour the Irish landscape whilst incorporating the myth and legend that has shaped it. It has been a fascinating journey to create this body of work.”

Anna describes the effect of light that plays on the landscape as well as the symbolic power of light in her paintings of Newgrange, Winter Solstice and the Cooley Mountains. “I love how transient light is here. A sunbeam can break through the clouds and in a split second, the entire landscape changes.” 

Commenting on the creative process which produced Solas Anna says:

“I find it interesting that even in this modern era there is still a connection to ancient myths and legends. This juxtaposition of the ancient and modern weaves its way through the work - creating a storyboard without words.”

“It was important for me to honour the Irish landscape whilst incorporating the myth and legend that has shaped it. It has been a fascinating journey to create this body of work.”

Art enthusiasts can view the full exhibition at Anna McKeever’s Ormeau Road-based studio, 455 Ormeau Road, Belfast, on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am – 4pm or by appointment. Visit www.annamckeever.com for more information.