Award-winning Artist Frances McKenna opens ‘Perceptions’, a new exhibition of oil paintings at the Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre in Armagh on Monday 26 July.
Born near Navan Fort in Armagh in 1970, Frances McKenna graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art from the University of Ulster. Throughout her art career, Frances has achieved many awards for her work, including first prize in the Bass Ireland Award. Her major collectors include UTV, The Irish News, Northern Ireland Civil Service, Bass Ireland, Oifig an Taoiseach and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, as well as many private collections. In addition, Frances has exhibited her work in various group and solo shows in galleries across Ireland.
Frances’s current paintings are her emotional and nostalgic response for her love of Donegal and her home in Armagh. Her work captures the atmosphere and energy of the moment. ‘Perceptions’ will include vibrant oil paintings and a collection of some of Frances’s limited edition giclee prints.
Frances says, “Today my paintings are about portraying life’s beautiful energy, I want to move my viewer, to lift their spirits. I want them to be pulled into the painting and feel uplifted. It is my hope that the viewer of my work can get lost in my paintings, with a sense of joy. To walk and lose oneself among the wild flowers in a vast open space of sunshine, to feel the wind in their face, listen to the sounds of the oceans, taste the sea salt in the air & the smells of Irish turf burning fires. To live among colour of every description. A little piece of heaven on earth.”
Perceptions will be on display from 26 July until 4 September at The Market Place Theatre. The exhibition features as part of the prestigious John Hewitt International Summer School. An official exhibition launch by invitation only will take place on Saturday 31 July from 2.00pm – 4.30pm.
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