How cups of coffee led to four artists creating spectacular Laois exhibition
Local artists Margaret Hennessy, Martin Moore, Mags LaBoss and Honor Hales pictured at the launch of their 'Flora, Fauna and Fable' exhibition in Mountmellick Library Photos: Stan Henderson
FOUR Laois-based creatives have come together to present a spectacular display of their works in an exhibition at Mountmellick library for the month of September titled featuring vibrant mixed media paintings, wonderfully handcrafted and sculptured gifts and skilfully crafted bog oak pieces.
The four talented artists behind the display, which fill the gallery, are mixed media artist and crafter Honor Hales from Portlaoise, landscape and multimedia artist Margaret Hennessy from Ballybrophy, bespoke gifts crafter Mags LaBoss from Stradbally and mixed media artist and woodturner Martin Moore, also from Stradbally.
The combined display of works is an art lover’s dream and the three rooms that make up the sought-after art venue in Mountmellick library are bursting with wonderful pieces of art that are sure to satisfy the tastes of many people.
The four creators held a cozy launch on Tuesday 1 September, where each differently skilled creative spoke to the about their work.
Speaking about the exhibition itself on behalf of the group and about her own work, full-time artist and art graduate Honor Hales began by saying that the combined show came together over “plenty of cups of coffee.” She said: “I booked the September slot in Mountmellick library last year, but I didn’t know what was going to happen. I knew we’d do something, so, following copious amounts of coffee, it grew into a group show. It’s great having all of the different mediums. Solo shows are great, but I’m a very social person and I love people and the interactions and it’s great to feel like you’re part of a team. From the viewer’s point of view, it’s more interesting because they get more mediums. We’ve got everything, from mixed media with me into oil and then into sculpture and wood carvings, which makes it more visually stimulating. Our work links in together because it’s earthy and nature based.
“My work is mixed media, which includes two glass paintings in silver frames and other pieces are acrylic backgrounds on canvas and the detailed work is everything from glass-based paints to varnish, to enamels and different textures with a focus on colour, I love colour. I’m really lucky to do art full-time.” In describing his work, Martin Moore said that he started off by woodturning about 20 years ago. He said: “I graduated to pieces that are suitable for wall art. My pieces are bog oak with designs on them and I work with various mediums, including acrylics, inks, charcoal, oil and chalk pastels to create unique artworks.
“Since my recent retirement, I can fully focus on my artwork and I spend many happy hours in my studio and workshop. Like the others, I draw inspiration from nature and life, which provides a never-ending resource for creative ideas. I love working with bog oak and this is my first exhibition.”
Margaret Hennessy said that her paintings can be described as realistic and semi-abstract. She said: “The exhibition is titled and one of my paintings titled The Knock Inn is a place where many a fairytale has been told. The pub in the painting is on the border of Laois and Tipperary and it’s where I grew up and the school that I went to is in the painting also because it’s right beside it. I like landscapes, but I also like delving into folklore, Irish folklore in particular.
“I use acrylics and oils and mixed media pieces and I’m currently working on some pieces for the Famine because its 108 years next year since the Famine began. These include some abstract paintings.” Last but certainly not least to talk about her work was Mags LaBoss. Mags said that she is a crafter rather than an artist. She said: “I make personalised gifts through a lot of laser work, embroidery work and casting. I make gifts for special occasions like weddings, christenings, anniversaries and all of that kind of stuff. This is my first-ever exhibition and I have kept my pieces in the show to a celtic theme and made everything to suit the theme of the presentation.” The exhibition will remain on view for the month of September during library opening hours.
The four creatives can be found on their social media pages but can also be contacted directly by phone. To contact Honor, phone 087 2051222, Margaret 087 7722935, Mags 086 1604389 and Martin 086 3496961.
