The Custom House Studios and Gallery in Westport is set to showcase two compelling new exhibitions this week, featuring the work of both established and emerging visual artists. The gallery, located at Westport Quay, will present a diverse range of artistic expressions that explore themes of landscape, place, and human connection to natural environments.
The main gallery space will host "Fresh to the Salt," a two-person exhibition featuring visual artists Angie Shanahan and the late Bridget Flannery (1959-2024), presented posthumously. This exhibition presents a collection of drawings and paintings that respond to the artists' deep engagement with coastal and riverine landscapes through various artistic techniques including drawing, sketch booking, and mapping. The works are enriched by the artists' exploration of history, place names, and local studies, which feed into their shared preoccupation with the concept of sense of place.
Angie Shanahan's current artistic practice focuses on landscapes impacted by human presence, typically set within water-defined environments, particularly coastal areas. Throughout her career, she has held numerous solo exhibitions and has been featured in countless group shows across the country. Her work reflects a deep understanding of how human activity intersects with natural coastal environments.
Bridget Flannery, whose work is being shown posthumously, dedicated her artistic life primarily to painting and drawing. During her lifetime, she consistently exhibited her work in both solo and group exhibitions throughout Ireland and across Europe. Her artistic legacy lives on through works held in both public and private collections nationally and internationally, testament to the enduring impact of her artistic vision.
The upstairs gallery space will feature "False Kingdoms," a solo exhibition by artist Kaye Maahs. Maahs has devoted her practice entirely to the pursuit of painting, using photography as a tool to document moments, places, and environments. These photographic images serve as navigation aids that assist her in the painting process, creating a unique bridge between documentary photography and expressive painting.
Maahs has established herself as a significant voice in contemporary Irish art through numerous solo exhibitions and participation in multiple group shows nationwide. Her artistic achievements have been recognized through various prestigious awards, including the Thomas Dammann Junior Memorial Trust Award and the Hunt Museum's Curator's Choice Award.
The official opening event for both exhibitions is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The evening will feature opening remarks by Anne Hodge from the National Gallery of Ireland and Katriona Gillespie, manager of the Custom House Studios and Gallery. This opening promises to bring together art enthusiasts, collectors, and the local community to celebrate these significant artistic presentations.
Both exhibitions are made possible through the generous support of the Arts Council of Ireland and Mayo County Council, demonstrating the continued commitment to supporting visual arts in the region. The Custom House Studios and Gallery continues to serve as an important cultural hub for Westport and the broader Mayo community, providing a platform for both established and emerging artists to share their work with diverse audiences.
